AMMAN, Jordan — Israel on Wednesday kept closed a crucial border crossing from Egypt to Gaza and cut in half the amount of aid allowed to enter in retaliation for what it says are delays in the handover of hostage bodies by the militant group Hamas.

The exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees and the handover of bodies was central to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza agreed last week.

An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, told NPR that "contrary to reports, the Rafah Crossing did not open today."

Israeli media had reported that the Rafah crossing, closed since Israel seized the Gaza side of the crossing last year, would be reopened in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

The ceasefire on

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