JERUSALEM, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will not open until further notice, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement Saturday night.
Its opening will be under consideration in accordance with how Hamas implements its part in the return of the deceased hostages and the implementation of the agreed framework, according to the statement.
The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced earlier in the day that the Rafah border crossing will reopen on Monday to allow Palestinians residing in Egypt who wish to return to Gaza to pass.
The Israel Defense Forces said early Saturday in a statement that it had received the body of the 10th deceased Israeli hostage held in Gaza from Hamas, apart from all the remaining 20 living hostages.
A ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States, went into effect on Oct. 10. Its first phase includes the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Under the agreement, Hamas is obliged to return the bodies of 18 more deceased Israeli hostages.
Several media reports, citing a Telegram channel post by Hamas' military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, said the group will hand over the bodies of two more deceased Israeli hostages at 10:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Saturday. ■