Remains of Hostage Returned to Israel
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that the remains of a hostage from Gaza have been handed over and are now in Israel. This development marks a progression under the U.S.-mediated ceasefire.
Previous Hostage Returns
Before this announcement, Hamas had already returned the remains of 20 hostages to Israel since the ceasefire took effect on October 10. If the latest remains undergo successful forensic confirmation, it would mean that seven more remain in Gaza.
Aims of the Ceasefire
The ongoing ceasefire seeks to lessen the intensity of the most lethal and destructive conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Latest Developments
On Tuesday, Hamas’s military faction reported recovering the body of an Israeli soldier in Gaza, intending to return the remains. However, Israel did not specify whether the remains they received belonged to a soldier.
Hostage and Body Exchange
In a pattern of exchanges, for every Israeli hostage returned, Israel releases the remains of 15 Palestinians. Under the current ceasefire, 270 Palestinian bodies have been handed over, with less than half having been identified. The process faces challenges due to a shortage of DNA testing kits available in Gaza, prompting the Health Ministry to publish photos online to assist families in recognition.
War Background
The conflict began with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken. Israel’s military response has reportedly led to over 68,800 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
International Response and Aid Efforts
The United States has prepared a draft proposal for a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at establishing an international stabilization force in Gaza for a minimum of two years. Meanwhile, the World Food Program has reached one million people in Gaza since the ceasefire but indicated that better access through more border crossings is necessary to enhance these efforts.
