The United States has minimized concerns over the Gaza ceasefire’s stability after Hamas announced it requires additional time to recover the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages, with US officials expressing confidence in ongoing negotiations and Hamas’s commitment to the agreement. Recent handovers have brought the total returned bodies to nine, but 19 remain unaccounted for, raising tensions over the deal’s implementation.
In overnight developments, Hamas handed over the remains of two Israeli hostages via the Red Cross, identified by Israel as Inbar Hayman, 27, and Muhammad al-Atarash, 39. Hayman was kidnapped during the Nova festival attack on October 7, 2023, and al-Atarash was killed in battle that same day, with their bodies held in Gaza since. This brings the number of deceased hostages returned to nine out of the 28 required under the ceasefire terms, highlighting the fragile progress in the exchange process.
Under the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire plan, Hamas was obligated to return 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 others by a specified deadline. While all living hostages have been released, the delay in returning the remaining bodies has prompted Israel to threaten restrictions on aid into Gaza, arguing that Hamas has not fully complied. The agreement also involved the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, but the focus has shifted to the unresolved issue of the deceased hostages, which could jeopardize the ceasefire.
Hamas officials stated that locating the additional bodies necessitates significant efforts and specialized equipment due to the extensive rubble and unexploded ordnance in Gaza. They emphasized that they have returned all accessible remains and are working to retrieve others, but the task is hampered by widespread destruction, with UN estimates indicating over 80% of buildings damaged or destroyed. This environment complicates search efforts and poses safety risks, slowing down the recovery process.
Senior US advisers, in a briefing on Wednesday evening, downplayed the threat to the ceasefire, describing conversations with mediators as “positive” and asserting that Hamas intends to honor the deal. They noted that the recovery could take weeks and mentioned potential involvement of Turkish experts and rewards for information from Gazan civilians. The advisers highlighted Hamas’s good faith in returning living hostages and ongoing efforts to locate bodies, reducing immediate fears of a breakdown in the agreement.
Concurrently, preparations are underway to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for the movement of people, though Israel has reiterated that humanitarian aid will not pass through this route. Instead, aid continues to enter via the Kerem Shalom crossing after Israeli security inspections, as per the agreement. Egypt has stated that Rafah is ready from its side, but Israel has linked its opening to greater efforts from Hamas on returning hostage bodies, creating a point of contention in the negotiations.
The scale of destruction in Gaza poses a monumental challenge, with assessments suggesting over 60 million tonnes of debris and critical infrastructure like water and sanitation facilities heavily damaged. This devastation not only impedes the search for hostages but also exacerbates the humanitarian crisis, with shortages of clean water, electricity, and basic supplies. International organizations have called for increased aid access, emphasizing the urgent need for reconstruction and stability to support Gaza’s recovery.
Looking ahead, the US peace plan envisions an international stabilization force and a technocratic administration for Gaza, but major obstacles remain, including Hamas’s resistance to disarmament and ceding control. The immediate focus is on ensuring the ceasefire holds, facilitating aid delivery, and beginning reconstruction efforts. The coming days will be critical in assessing whether the agreement can lead to longer-term peace, with ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and building trust between the parties.