KoalaKraze
Well-known member
Hamas Hands Over Remains of Israeli Captive, Vows to Return Rest
In a move that has sparked relief and renewed calls for action, Hamas has handed over the remains of an additional Israeli captive it recovered in Gaza. The Palestinian group made the gesture on Friday, as part of its commitment to the terms of the US-mediated ceasefire deal.
The captive's identity was not disclosed, but officials confirmed that the body had been handed over to the Red Cross and would be transferred to Israel's Ministry of Health for formal identification purposes.
However, with tensions still simmering, Hamas is urging mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to take action. The group claims that it has returned all bodies it was able to recover, but needs assistance in locating those trapped under rubble following Israeli strikes.
The situation remains dire, with over 10,000 Palestinians still trapped under debris, according to Gaza's civil defense. Only 280 have been retrieved so far, and Hamas is demanding increased aid, the opening of the Rafah border crossing, and an end to reconstruction efforts in areas where attacks continue.
Former Israeli ambassador Alon Liel warned that the return of bodies has been a highly emotional issue, creating pressure on the government. "There is a lot of anger," he said, as many Israelis believe Hamas is cheating on the ceasefire agreement by not returning all the bodies of deceased captives.
Israel has been accused of failing to cooperate with countries lending aid in search of remains, including Turkey, which was ready to send 81 experts but had its entry blocked. Israeli forces repeatedly bombed Gaza's Hamad City complex during the war, and troops conducted a raid there last March.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to greenlight Israel to resume the war on Gaza if Hamas fails to return all captives' bodies, totaling 28. So far, Hamas has handed over nine captives, along with a 10th body that Israel claims was not a captive.
As the situation unfolds, Hamas is pushing for more significant action from the international community and Israel. The group's demands are complex, but one thing is clear: without concerted efforts to address these issues, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will only continue to worsen.
In a move that has sparked relief and renewed calls for action, Hamas has handed over the remains of an additional Israeli captive it recovered in Gaza. The Palestinian group made the gesture on Friday, as part of its commitment to the terms of the US-mediated ceasefire deal.
The captive's identity was not disclosed, but officials confirmed that the body had been handed over to the Red Cross and would be transferred to Israel's Ministry of Health for formal identification purposes.
However, with tensions still simmering, Hamas is urging mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to take action. The group claims that it has returned all bodies it was able to recover, but needs assistance in locating those trapped under rubble following Israeli strikes.
The situation remains dire, with over 10,000 Palestinians still trapped under debris, according to Gaza's civil defense. Only 280 have been retrieved so far, and Hamas is demanding increased aid, the opening of the Rafah border crossing, and an end to reconstruction efforts in areas where attacks continue.
Former Israeli ambassador Alon Liel warned that the return of bodies has been a highly emotional issue, creating pressure on the government. "There is a lot of anger," he said, as many Israelis believe Hamas is cheating on the ceasefire agreement by not returning all the bodies of deceased captives.
Israel has been accused of failing to cooperate with countries lending aid in search of remains, including Turkey, which was ready to send 81 experts but had its entry blocked. Israeli forces repeatedly bombed Gaza's Hamad City complex during the war, and troops conducted a raid there last March.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to greenlight Israel to resume the war on Gaza if Hamas fails to return all captives' bodies, totaling 28. So far, Hamas has handed over nine captives, along with a 10th body that Israel claims was not a captive.
As the situation unfolds, Hamas is pushing for more significant action from the international community and Israel. The group's demands are complex, but one thing is clear: without concerted efforts to address these issues, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will only continue to worsen.