Israel keeps Rafah crossing closed as hostage return becomes condition

Israel has announced that the border crossing at Rafah, located between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, will remain closed until further notice, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday. 

According to a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the reopening of the Rafah crossing is contingent upon the return of hostages and the implementation of an agreed framework.

The statement indicated that once the bodies of hostages are handed over and the framework is in place, Israel may consider reopening the border.