Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egyptian search and recovery teams have entered the southern Gaza Strip to begin operations aimed at locating the remains of Israeli hostages believed to be buried in the area of Khan Younis, according to eyewitnesses and media reports.
Local sources told reporters that Egyptian crews, accompanied by heavy machinery, began their work late Saturday in the northwestern outskirts of Khan Younis, an area that saw intense fighting earlier this year. The operation, which marks the first of its kind involving Egyptian personnel inside Gaza since the escalation of the conflict, reportedly received prior approval from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Saturday evening that Egyptian teams and equipment would be deployed to Gaza to assist in the search for the remains of Israeli soldiers and hostages killed during the fighting. The report said the effort followed coordination between Cairo and Tel Aviv, with U.S. diplomatic pressure playing a key role in facilitating the move.
Red Cross vehicles are expected to enter the Rafah area to examine the site believed to contain the remains of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who was killed and captured during the 2014 war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Gaza’s Civil Defense teams in the northern part of the strip announced they had reburied around 50 bodies in Beit Lahia Cemetery after Israeli bulldozers reportedly unearthed and displaced graves during recent military operations.
Israeli media outlet Kan reported earlier that the deployment of Egyptian teams came “in response to American pressure,” with Washington urging both Israel and Egypt to cooperate in humanitarian and recovery efforts in the devastated enclave.
The ongoing search in Khan Younis underscores Egypt’s sensitive role as both a mediator and humanitarian partner in the conflict, balancing its long-standing security coordination with Israel and its public commitment to aid efforts in Gaza. As the search continues, regional observers say the mission could also serve as a test of future coordination between Israel, Egypt, and international organizations in managing the aftermath of the war.
