Israel has transferred the bodies of 15 Palestinians on Wednesday following Hamas returning an Israeli hostage. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer to Gaza. There are still two hostages, one Israeli and one Thai, whose remains are believed to be in Gaza. Hamas has committed to returning both hostages.
In another development, mediators from Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt convened in Cairo to discuss the upcoming phases of the ceasefire. These phases will involve deploying an armed International Stabilization Force (ISF) and establishing an international body to govern Gaza and oversee reconstruction. The ISF will be responsible for maintaining security and ensuring the disarmament of Hamas, a crucial demand from Israel. Indonesia has announced plans to deploy 20,000 peacekeepers to the force.
Many uncertainties surround the implementation timeline and details of the ceasefire plan, which has held despite allegations of violations by both sides. So far, 345 Palestinian bodies have been returned, with only 99 identified due to the absence of DNA testing kits in Gaza.
Israel observed a day of mourning for Dror Or, the most recent hostage returned by Palestinian militants. Or and his wife were killed during an attack on Kibbutz Be’eri in 2023, but their children were rescued and later released in a hostage deal.
The return of Or’s remains signifies the recovery of nearly all hostages or their bodies. Hamas has affirmed its commitment to completing the exchange by handing over the remaining hostages’ remains. Additionally, a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli fire in Gaza on Wednesday.
Since the ceasefire came into effect, significant casualties have been reported, with Palestinians in Gaza facing challenges in accessing shelter and essential supplies. The situation remains dire, with ongoing dependence on humanitarian aid and limited progress in Gaza’s reconstruction.
In the West Bank, Israel conducted a military operation in Tubas, with the IDF targeting alleged terrorist activities in the area. This operation follows earlier military actions in Jenin and other parts of the West Bank, leading to heightened tensions and displacements. Israel has faced accusations of war crimes and human rights violations in its operations, which it denies.