IDF searching Gaza City cemetery for body of Ran Gvili

Teams of recovery experts, forensic staff and dental pathologists are scouring the area.

"The State of Israel is determined to return Ran Gvili, of blessed memory, for a proper Jewish burial," said a spokesperson for Prime Minister Netanyahu.

"His family is receiving constant updates and is familiar with the details of the operation."

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also affirmed that, if Ran's body is recovered, Israel will allow the Rafah Crossing to reopen.

The border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the south is a key entry point for humanitarian aid but has remained closed for much of the past two years due to concerns over the smuggling of weapons and terrorists.

The PMO said that, once all hostages had been returned, it would reopen the crossing "in accordance with what was agreed on with the United States".

One US official told the Times of Israel that Washington expects the search to take several days, with the crossing potentially opening by the end of the week.

But the PMO added that it would only be reopened for pedestrians, with aid trucks still not permitted to flow through the border from Egypt.

Nonetheless, the announcement was reportedly met with opposition at Sunday's cabinet meeting.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Settlement Minister Orit Stock are understood to oppose the reopening of the crossing before the disarmament and, indeed, destruction of Hamas is achieved.