In a breakthrough for Gaza residents, 600 aid trucks rolled in on Wednesday, easing the humanitarian strain after days of tense talks over returning hostage bodies. 🚚✨
The fragile ceasefire—halted by a dispute over the pace of body returns—saw new progress when Hamas handed back four bodies on Monday and another four on Tuesday night. This allowed Israel to resume plans to open the main Rafah crossing for aid.
Israel had warned it would keep Rafah closed and limit supplies because the bodies were coming back too slowly. The crossing is a vital lifeline, especially after two years of devastating conflict that ended with the release of all living hostages.
An Israeli security official confirmed reopening Rafah to Gaza residents is in motion, and another official announced 600 aid trucks are on the way.
But key challenges loom. Later phases of the truce require Hamas to disarm and cede power—conditions the group has resisted, even strengthening its own security efforts.
Long-term questions remain: Who will govern Gaza? What will an international peacekeeping force look like? And how will talks on a Palestinian state move forward?
About 21 bodies of hostages are still in Gaza, many hidden under rubble from heavy fighting. An international task force is searching to recover them.
The agreement also calls for Israel to return bodies of 360 Palestinian militants. Palestinian health authorities say the first batch of 45 was handed over on Tuesday and is now being identified.
This humanitarian step brings fresh hope—but the road to a lasting peace is filled with tough decisions ahead. 🌍🤝
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Aid trucks roll into Gaza as dispute over hostage bodies is paused
cgtn.com
