Israel Receives Remains of Hostages as Ceasefire Efforts Progress

Israel’s military announced that Hamas transferred “two coffins of deceased hostages” to the Red Cross in Gaza late on Saturday. This handover marks a significant step in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending two years of conflict. The identities of the deceased hostages have not been disclosed.

In the past week, Hamas has already returned the remains of ten out of the twenty-eight deceased hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza. The Israeli government is pressing for a quicker return of the remaining remains. However, Hamas claims that the ongoing devastation, the presence of unexploded ordnance, and Israeli military control over certain areas are complicating the process.

Hostage Handover and Ceasefire Terms

The transfer of remains plays a crucial role in the ceasefire agreement, which also includes provisions for humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. The Rafah border crossing, the only entry point not controlled by Israel, has remained closed since May 2024. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the crossing would remain shut until Hamas meets its obligations regarding the hostages’ remains.

In a statement, Hamas announced it would hand over two more remains on Saturday night but did not identify them. Israel has been returning the remains of Palestinians without names, assigning them only numbers. This has created distress among families in Gaza, where many individuals are still unaccounted for.

Iman Sakani, a mother whose son has been missing since the onset of the conflict, expressed her anguish, saying, “Just like they took their captives, we want our captives. Bring me my son, bring all our kids back.”

As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel returned fifteen bodies of Palestinians to Gaza on Saturday, increasing the total number returned to 135. The toll in Gaza has now surpassed 68,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Thousands remain missing, with the Red Cross involved in ongoing recovery efforts.

Humanitarian Situation and Ongoing Tensions

Despite the ceasefire, concerns persist regarding humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Hamas has urged mediators to facilitate the flow of aid for the territory’s two million residents. Restrictions on aid deliveries continue, with U.N. officials noting that only 339 trucks have been distributed since the ceasefire began, while about 600 per day are needed.

Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian chief, remarked on the dire situation, stating, “Vast parts of the city are just a wasteland.” The U.N. has verified over 400 deaths linked to malnutrition-related causes, including more than 100 children. Israel contends that it has provided adequate supplies, accusing Hamas of misappropriating aid, a claim denied by humanitarian organizations.

Hamas has also accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. It reported that 38 Palestinians have lost their lives since the agreement was put in place. The Israeli army has not commented on the specifics of these claims but maintains control over approximately half of Gaza.

The ongoing conflict was ignited by an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, during which Hamas militants killed around 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and abducted 251 people. The hostage forum, which supports families of those taken, has vowed to maintain pressure through weekly rallies until all hostages are returned.

As the situation develops, both sides continue to navigate the delicate balance of ceasefire obligations and humanitarian needs, with the international community closely monitoring the progress.