The lifeline Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remained shut on Wednesday despite reports that it could reopen to aid convoys, as Israel insisted Hamas hand over the remains of the last deceased hostages it holds.

Early in the day, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the crossing point would reopen, but humanitarian sources told AFP this had not happened and a government spokeswoman ignored questions on the subject.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher expressed frustration that the ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump and hailed by world leaders, had yet to facilitate the scale of relief needed in the devastated Palestinian territory.

“As Hamas have agreed, they must make strenuous efforts to return all the bodies of deceased hostages, urgently. I am also gravely

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