Israel has announced plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing in the coming days, allowing Palestinians to leave Gaza.

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.

Israel said it launched an airstrike on a Hamas militant in southern Gaza late Wednesday in retaliation for an attack earlier in the day that wounded five Israeli soldiers.

Israel's military on Saturday said it launched airstrikes against Hamas terrorists in Gaza in the latest test of the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10. Health officials in Gaza reported at least 14 people killed and another 45 wounded, including children.

Violence has repeatedly flared up in the weeks since a cease-fire was reached, killing hundreds of Palestinians and at least three Israeli soldiers.

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Tuesday handed over the remains of one of the last two deceased hostages still in Gaza, the International Committee of the Red Cross said, under terms of the October ceasefire deal.