CAIRO – 20 February 2025: Trucks carrying 15 mobile homes and a bulldozer successfully crossed from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing into the Karam Abu Salem crossing on Thursday in preparation for entry into Gaza, according to Al Qahera News.
This development follows Hamas’s release of the first group of deceased captives it holds in Gaza, sending them to Israel through the Red Cross.
According to Hamas, the bodies include members of the Bibas family: a mother and her two children, as well as Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 years old at the time Hamas took over 250 captives from Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel has – through the Red Cross – received the coffins of four deceased hostages. The coffins were transferred to an IDF force and the ISA, inside the Gaza Strip, from where they will be transferred to Israel, to the Health Ministry's National Center of Forensic Medicine.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 20, 2025
Additionally, Hamas is scheduled to release six living Israeli captives on Saturday, which is double the number initially agreed upon in the swap.
Israeli media reported on Tuesday that Israel will start allowing the entry of mobile homes and heavy construction equipment but in a controlled manner, citing a senior Israeli official.
The official added that this permission aims to expedite the release of the six living captives agreed to be released by Hamas under phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
Hamas and Israel are bound by this ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19 to halt over 15 months of war in the enclave, which killed more than 48,000 people, most of whom are women and children.
The delivery of caravans, or mobile homes, have been a sensitive issue over the past couple of weeks, as Israel initially blocked their entry. This prompted Hamas to announce last week its plans to delay the release of Israeli captives due to these violations, which also included incidents of Palestinians being shot dead in the enclave despite the ceasefire.
Hamas’s announcement triggered angry reactions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who threatened to resume war.
Fortunately, Egypt and Qatar successfully got the ceasefire back on track after the dispute further highlighted the fragility of the ongoing agreement.
The introduction of these mobile homes is a quick response to the needs of displaced individuals and families who have lost their homes due to the current situation.
An official source at the Rafah crossing confirmed that Egypt is facilitating the entry of various forms of aid, including trucks carrying food and relief supplies, in addition to the mobile homes and heavy machinery for debris removal and road clearance.
The source noted that these aid deliveries are conducted under strict organizational procedures, which include registration and classification before being transported into Palestinian territories in coordination with relevant authorities.
In related efforts, Egypt continues to send aid convoys through Rafah, with over 7,000 trucks carrying more than 130,000 tons of diverse assistance entering Gaza since the beginning of the ceasefire.
Additionally, more than 20,000 tents have been dispatched through Egyptian crossings to provide shelter for displaced individuals.
Egypt is also receiving injured Palestinians for medical treatment, having admitted 680 patients into its healthcare system, along with 1,850 companions.
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