In a somber turn, Israel announced on Wednesday that it has received the remains of another hostage from Gaza. This marks the latest step in the ongoing process under the US-brokered ceasefire agreement that began on October 10. 🕊️
According to the prime minister's office, Hamas' armed wing transferred a body found near Gaza City to the Red Cross. Israel's forensics authority will now work to confirm the identity of the remains. If they are indeed those of a hostage, six deceased hostages would still be in Gaza, waiting to be returned to their families.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region:
- The Israeli military reported they killed two Palestinians after they approached an Israeli-controlled area 'in a threatening way'.
- Gaza health authorities said Israeli fire also killed a Palestinian man collecting firewood in central Gaza. The military has no record of an incident in that area.
Despite near-daily clashes, the exchange of hostage remains has continued, highlighting the fragile balance maintained by the ceasefire. Earlier, Hamas handed over all 20 living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian convicts and detainees in Israel, and promised the remains of 28 deceased hostages. However, the devastation in Gaza has made locating all bodies challenging, leading Israel to accuse Hamas of delays.
Since the truce began, Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip have reduced, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes and enabling more humanitarian aid to flow in. Israeli troops have also withdrawn from urban positions to behind a yellow demarcation line, maintaining the pause in heavy fighting.
As both sides navigate this uneasy calm, families of hostages and those affected by the conflict await the next steps in a process that brings moments of closure, hope, and continued uncertainty. 🙏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
