Israel had agreed to open the Rafah crossing as part of the October cease-fire deal with Hamas but kept it closed. Egypt denied that the border would reopen soon.

The bodies of two deceased hostages are still thought to be in Gaza. Israeli authorities have been releasing Palestinian prisoners and the bodies of deceased Palestinians detainees in exchange for the return of hostage remains.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has told DW that his country is working to implement a US peace plan for Gaza. His remarks came as he visited Berlin for talks with his German counterpart.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains in effect as Gaza's residents face hunger, flooding and the onset of a bitter winter.

About 91% of all homes in Gaza are now destroyed or damaged, leaving the majority of the population without safe, permanent shelter, the U.N.'s OCHA said.

Pro-Israel watchdog says declassified documents it obtained show how terror group surveilled staff at international organizations, used administrators as liaisons

Dressed in traditional Palestinian prints and a suit, Eman Hassan Lawwa and Hikmat Lawwa walked hand-in-hand past the crumbled buildings of southern Gaza in a line of couples dressed exactly the same as them.