Israel has stated that the three bodies handed over by Hamas in Gaza are not those of any hostages, marking a setback in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This exchange occurred after Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza on Friday, completing a previous swap that involved militants handing over remains of two hostages earlier in the week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office verified that the three bodies did not belong to any hostages, leaving their identities unknown. Hamas’ armed wing mentioned offering samples of unidentified bodies, but Israel declined and requested the remains for examination, stating that the handover was to refute Israeli claims. Identification challenges persist in Gaza as health officials lack access to DNA kits.
In Tel Aviv, families and supporters gathered to demand the return of all hostages. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 still in Gaza. Israel has urged quicker progress, while Hamas cites obstacles such as widespread destruction and Israeli military presence in certain areas.
Israel has been returning the unidentified bodies of 15 Palestinians for each Israeli hostage’s remains, totaling 225 Palestinian bodies returned so far, with only 75 identified by families. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of those returned remain unclear, whether from the 2023 Hamas-led attack in southern Israel, while in Israeli custody, or recovered from Gaza during the conflict.
The ceasefire faced a significant challenge when Israel conducted strikes across Gaza, resulting in over 100 casualties following the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah. Jordan’s foreign minister cautioned that Israel’s military presence in Gaza jeopardizes the ceasefire, proposing the need for a Palestinian police force supported by an international stabilization force with a UN mandate to ensure security.
The U.S. peace plan includes the deployment of an international stabilization force, excluding American troops, to secure Gaza’s borders and enforce the ceasefire. Nations are interested in participating but seek a clear UN mandate before committing troops. Discussions also revolve around Hamas’ disarmament, postwar governance in Gaza, and the escalation of humanitarian aid.
Indonesia has offered troops for Gaza but awaits a UN mandate and detailed discussions. The deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas began in 2023, resulting in extensive casualties and hostages. Israel has refuted genocide accusations in Gaza and challenges the casualty figures reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
