Israel Identifies Body of 10th Hostage Recovered from Gaza
In a somber turn of events, Israel has identified the body of a 75-year-old hostage who was handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza last week. The victim, Eliyahu "Churchill" Margalit, was killed during a Hamas assault on southern Israel in October and his remains were taken into Gaza.
According to Israeli officials, Margalit's body was sent to the Ministry of Health's National Center for Forensic Medicine in Israel, where it has been identified. The news comes as families of hostages still held in Gaza continue to call for action from the Israeli government.
The hostage crisis has become a major point of contention between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by international mediators. The deal, which was part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war, calls for Hamas to make best efforts in returning all deceased hostages.
However, Israel has expressed frustration that despite assurances from Hamas, the group remains unable to locate the bodies of its captives. Israeli officials have accused Hamas of stalling and failing to meet its commitments under the agreement.
Meanwhile, Turkish officials reported that their team of specialists was waiting on Friday for Israeli permission to enter Gaza to help retrieve remains buried under rubble. The Turkish delegation's mission includes locating Palestinian and hostage remains.
The standoff has led to renewed violence in Gaza, with 11 people killed when Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle south east of the city earlier this week. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while Israel denies any wrongdoing.
As negotiations continue, families of hostages remain divided over the agreement reached by the Israeli and Palestinian governments. While some have welcomed the deal as a step towards peace, others feel betrayed that their loved ones' bodies are still in Gaza, waiting to be returned.
The situation remains tense, with both sides dug in on their positions. As the standoff continues, one thing is clear: the fate of the hostages and the future of the ceasefire agreement hang precariously in the balance.
In a somber turn of events, Israel has identified the body of a 75-year-old hostage who was handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza last week. The victim, Eliyahu "Churchill" Margalit, was killed during a Hamas assault on southern Israel in October and his remains were taken into Gaza.
According to Israeli officials, Margalit's body was sent to the Ministry of Health's National Center for Forensic Medicine in Israel, where it has been identified. The news comes as families of hostages still held in Gaza continue to call for action from the Israeli government.
The hostage crisis has become a major point of contention between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by international mediators. The deal, which was part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war, calls for Hamas to make best efforts in returning all deceased hostages.
However, Israel has expressed frustration that despite assurances from Hamas, the group remains unable to locate the bodies of its captives. Israeli officials have accused Hamas of stalling and failing to meet its commitments under the agreement.
Meanwhile, Turkish officials reported that their team of specialists was waiting on Friday for Israeli permission to enter Gaza to help retrieve remains buried under rubble. The Turkish delegation's mission includes locating Palestinian and hostage remains.
The standoff has led to renewed violence in Gaza, with 11 people killed when Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle south east of the city earlier this week. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, while Israel denies any wrongdoing.
As negotiations continue, families of hostages remain divided over the agreement reached by the Israeli and Palestinian governments. While some have welcomed the deal as a step towards peace, others feel betrayed that their loved ones' bodies are still in Gaza, waiting to be returned.
The situation remains tense, with both sides dug in on their positions. As the standoff continues, one thing is clear: the fate of the hostages and the future of the ceasefire agreement hang precariously in the balance.