The missing corpses of two hostages threaten to derail Israel’s-Hamas peace, while a particular timing for the Rafah crossing’s opening has yet to be determined.

Israel is prepared to open the Rafah crossing “in the coming days” to allow Gaza people to cross into Egypt, claiming that the fragmentary remains handed over this week do not match the prisoners abducted in 2023.

As the first phase of the truce between Israel and Hamas nears completion, the missing corpses of two captives threaten to halt it.

Later on Wednesday, Hamas announced that it has turned over the body of one of the remaining two hostages in the Gaza Strip. The remains will most likely undergo forensic testing.

A particular time for the Rafah border opening has not been specified, but it is hoped that access will allow individuals to cross for medical and travel purposes, as well as demonstrate Israel’s continued commitment to the peace accord.

The coordination of government activities in the territories (COGAT) stated that the arrangement, which has Israeli security clearance, will be coordinated with Egypt under the supervision of the European Union mission, similar to the mechanism that worked in January 2025.

“In accordance with the ceasefire agreement and a directive of the political echelon, the Rafah Crossing will open in the coming days exclusively for the exit of residents from the Gaza Strip to Egypt,” according to a COGAT statement.

It did not specify if there would be any restrictions on who might leave Gaza, but it did state that “Israeli security approval” would be required.

Despite the happenings of Wednesday, Egyptian state-affiliated al Qahera News stated that Egypt denied cooperating with Israel to restore the crossing in the next days, according to Reuters.

However, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the crossing “will be opened very, very soon”.

The exodus of Gazans would be “facilitated through coordination with Egypt following security approval by Israel,” according to a spokeswoman.

“The decision was made in full coordination with the mediators of this plan.”

When Sky News queried how the crossing could open while Egypt denied any coordination, the administration was unable to provide any information.

“The information I shared is what I can provide at this time,” the representative stated.

According to the Associated Press, an Israeli official who spoke anonymously stated that all Palestinians will be permitted to escape through Rafah if Egypt agrees to admit them.

According to the source, the European Union still needed to make some logistical tweaks before the bridge could open.

According to the Associated Press, an Israeli official stated that the Rafah border will only allow Palestinians to exit Gaza, not enter.

Egypt stated that the bridge will only open if both directions of travel were allowed.

The cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas allowed for the border to be open for medical evacuations and movement to and from Gaza.

According to the World Health Organization, over 16,500 sick and injured people must leave Gaza to receive medical attention.

Tamer al Burai, a Gaza businessman who requires treatment overseas for a lung issue, told Reuters: “We have been waiting for the Rafah crossing for months.

“At last, I and thousands of other patients may have a chance to receive proper treatment.”

The passage was closed in May 2024 when Israel’s soldiers entered the area.

It was briefly opened in February of this year to allow sick and injured Palestinians to be evacuated for treatment as part of the previous truce agreement.

Since the ceasefire in October, Israel has maintained the Rafah crossing closed in both directions, insisting that Hamas comply with the deal to return all hostages in Gaza, both living and death.