Israel has decided to keep the Rafah crossing closed for Gazans exiting the Strip until Hamas returns the bodies of all held hostages, according to N12. Reports indicate that six bodies are expected to arrive today, a higher number than the four previously confirmed. The Red Cross is en route to a meeting point in northern Gaza to facilitate the transfer of several "cabinets of spaces," as stated in a joint notice from the IDF spokesman and Shin Bet. This development follows intensified pressure and discourse between Israel and mediators regarding Hamas's obligations. A joint notice from the IDF spokesman and Shin Bet stated that the Red Cross was on its way to a northern Gaza meeting point for the transfer of several "cabinets of spaces." The IDF is seeking to ensure sensitivity and await official identification of the bodies before releasing information to the abducted families. Hamas is required to fulfill the agreement and exert the necessary efforts to return all abductees, according to the notice. Alaraby TV, citing sources, has claimed that Hamas will hand over more bodies of Israeli hostages tonight. Ex-hostage Tal Shoham commented on the nature of some of the captors, noting that "one of the guards was a first-grade teacher, another was a lecturer at a university, and another was a doctor. These are normal people becoming terrorists." Released hostage soldier Matan Angrest, who was visited by his military commanders at Ichilov Hospital today, reportedly spoke by phone with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Angrest served in a tank in the 7th Armored Brigade's 77th Battalion on October 7. Previous reports from October 14th indicated that Israel had confirmed the return of four abducted individuals' bodies: Guy Illouz, Capt. Daniel Peretz, Yossi Sharabi, and Joshi. The Prime Minister's Office had stated that the government and nation are committed to restoring all abducted individuals for proper burial and that Hamas must meet its obligations to mediators. Mediators had previously understood Israel was considering steps such as closing the Rafah Pass and significantly reducing humanitarian aid, with Israel having already decided to close the crossing and halt assistance to convey seriousness to Hamas. Egyptian construction equipment has begun massing in North Sinai, preparing for deployment into Gaza for reconstruction and debris clearance. The IDF had also issued warnings to Gaza Strip residents against approaching IDF forces in specified dangerous areas, including Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, Al-Shuja'iyya, the Rafah crossing area, and the Philadelphia axis.
