Israel has stated that the three bodies handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza are not those of any hostages, marking a setback in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This exchange follows Israel’s return of 30 Palestinian bodies to Gaza on Friday, completing a swap after militants previously handed over two hostages’ remains earlier in the week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the three bodies do not belong to hostages, but their identities remain unknown. Hamas’ armed wing offered to provide samples of unidentified bodies on Friday, but Israel declined, requesting the remains for examination instead.
Families and supporters gathered in Tel Aviv once more on Saturday night to demand the return of all hostages. Since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 still in Gaza. The process has seen one or two bodies released every few days, prompting Israel to call for faster progress. Hamas cited challenges in identification due to the lack of DNA kits and the presence of Israeli forces in certain areas.
Israel has been exchanging the remains of 15 Palestinians for each Israeli hostage returned, resulting in 225 Palestinian bodies being handed over so far. However, only 75 bodies have been identified by their families, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The origins of the returned bodies remain unclear, whether they were casualties of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, deceased detainees in Israeli custody, or recovered during the conflict.
The ceasefire faced a significant test earlier in the week when Israel conducted airstrikes across Gaza, resulting in more than 100 casualties in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah.
Jordan’s foreign minister cautioned that Israel’s continued military presence in Gaza jeopardizes the ceasefire. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a Palestinian police force to maintain security, supported by an international stabilization force with a UN Security Council mandate.
The U.S. peace plan includes proposals for a temporary international stabilization force to secure Gaza’s borders, with multiple countries expressing interest in participating but seeking a clear UN mandate before committing troops. Difficult questions remain regarding Hamas’ disarmament, postwar governance of Gaza, and the escalation of humanitarian aid.
Indonesia has offered troops for Gaza and advocated for an independent Palestinian state while emphasizing the importance of ensuring Israel’s safety and security. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, stemming from the 2023 Hamas-led attack, has been the deadliest and most devastating in their history, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has led to a high death toll, with conflicting figures provided by Gaza’s Health Ministry and Israel. Israel denies allegations of genocide in Gaza, despite facing criticism from a UN commission of inquiry and others.