Hamas Reports Progress on Hostage Bodies Under Ceasefire Deal
Hamas announced that it has transferred two additional bodies of Israeli hostages in line with a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the U.S. The group stated it requires time and specialized equipment to recover the remaining deceased from the rubble in Gaza.
The armed faction of Hamas expressed its dedication to the ceasefire and claimed it had returned all reachable hostages’ bodies. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Israeli forces might resume hostilities if Hamas fails to adhere to the terms of the agreement.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed via the Red Cross that it received coffins containing the bodies of hostages, which are pending official identification. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) urged the public to be sensitive and to await official confirmations before communicating with the families involved.
Senior U.S. advisors commented on the ongoing implementation of a 20-point peace plan, stating that they currently do not believe Hamas has violated the agreement regarding the retrieval of the remaining dead hostages. They noted that Hamas has cooperated in good faith by returning living hostages and is collaborating with various parties to locate the deceased.
If the two bodies returned recently are confirmed to belong to hostages, it would leave 19 still unaccounted for in Gaza, as Hamas is obligated to return all 28 deceased as part of the initial phase of the peace plan. However, Hamas’s armed wing emphasized that retrieving the remaining bodies necessitates significant effort and specialized equipment.
Earlier statements from Israel indicated that the country would not compromise on the return of hostages, stating that their mission remains incomplete. The Israeli defense minister mentioned he had directed the IDF to devise a comprehensive strategy to defeat Hamas should the conflict reignite.
As the situation evolves, concerns are rising among Gaza residents about the stay of the ceasefire, driving food prices up as shortages are created due to hoarding. Amid this uncertainty, local residents express fears about a potential return to conflict, prompting them to stockpile essential items.
