Hamas delivered two bodies believed to be deceased Israeli captives on Thursday, following a tumultuous Gaza ceasefire that saw a series of Israeli attacks claiming the lives of numerous Palestinians, including women and children. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that the bodies were received through the Red Cross in Gaza and are set to be transferred to Israel for identification.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living captives in exchange for the release of around 250 Palestinians held by Israel for security-related offenses, along with 1,700 adults and 22 minors detained without charges during the conflict. Additionally, Hamas agreed to surrender the bodies of all 28 deceased captives in return for 360 militants killed by Israeli forces during the war, with 15 bodies handed over so far.
Israel has criticized Hamas for the delay in surrendering the remaining bodies, while Hamas argues that it requires time to locate and retrieve all the remains. Families of the captives are anxious to provide a proper burial for their loved ones, fearing that the bodies may be lost under the rubble in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians are still missing.
The recovery and transfer of bodies have posed challenges to U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict permanently. Significant hurdles remain, including the governance of Gaza in the future and the demand for Hamas to disarm, while both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
Witnesses reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted areas east of Khan Younis and Gaza City, with no reported casualties. The Israeli military stated that the strikes were precise and aimed at terrorist infrastructure threatening their troops in Gaza. Earlier retaliation strikes by Israel followed an attack on their soldiers, resulting in one casualty.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that among the 104 individuals killed in the airstrikes, 46 were children and 20 were women, while Israel claimed to have targeted numerous militants. Gaza residents expressed concerns about a possible resurgence of hostilities and the ongoing displacement crisis affecting over two million people in Gaza.
In Khan Younis, displaced residents like Fathi Al-Najjar voiced fears of another war erupting, citing years of displacement and uncertainty. The war has uprooted most of Gaza’s population multiple times, with many hesitant to return home amidst fears of further displacement.
