Israel’s Defense Minister issued a stark warning on Wednesday, hinting that military operations could resume if Hamas fails to honor the terms of a recently negotiated ceasefire, which was brokered with US backing. This statement followed Hamas’s delivery of the remains of two deceased hostages, with the group indicating that retrieving further bodies from the rubble of Gaza would necessitate specialized equipment.
Since the ceasefire began, Hamas has returned a total of 20 living hostages to Israel. In exchange, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli detention facilities. However, the delivery of the two bodies on Wednesday raised concerns, as the overall number of deceased hostages returned remains significantly below expectations. Prior to these remains, Hamas had already sent back the remains of seven out of 28 known deceased hostages, along with an eighth body that Israel claimed was unrelated to any previous hostage.
Defense Minister Israel Katz’s office declared, “If Hamas refuses to comply with the agreement, Israel, in coordination with the United States, will resume fighting to achieve a total defeat of Hamas, alter the circumstances in Gaza, and fulfill all war objectives.”
Despite the Israeli threat, senior US advisors reported that Hamas appears committed to honoring the terms of the agreement, stating that they continue to express their intentions to complete the deal.
However, the delay in the return of all deceased bodies is fueling pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has publicly threatened to suspend essential humanitarian aid to Gaza if the remains of soldiers still held in the region are not returned promptly.
On the humanitarian front, Israel transferred an additional 45 Palestinian bodies to Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, bringing the total number returned to 90, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Under the ongoing agreement, Israel is committed to returning 15 deceased Palestinians for every Israeli hostage.
In light of the humanitarian situation, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher is urging Israel to open all crossings into Gaza for the delivery of aid, emphasizing the urgent need for children to be fed and medical supplies to be available in hospitals. Despite reports from Israeli public broadcaster KAN about the reopening of the Rafah crossing point to Egypt, this has yet to come to fruition, leaving the international community watching closely for any developments.
Fletcher, who is set to visit the Rafah crossing, noted that this crossing is the only direct link between Gaza and the outside world without passing through Israel. He stated, “The test is that we have children fed, that we have anesthetics in the hospitals for people getting treatment, that we have tents over people’s heads.”
Meanwhile, tensions on the ground remain high. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli fire claimed the lives of three Palestinians, two of whom were shot while attempting to return to their homes in the Shujaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. The Israeli military claimed that these individuals were “crossing the yellow line” designated as a safe zone, alleging it was a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
The crisis, which escalated following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, has left Gaza in a dire humanitarian state, with the region heavily reliant on aid that has been severely restricted. Although the United Nations declared a famine in Gaza at the end of August, Israel has denied such claims. The ongoing situation complicates not just humanitarian efforts, but also the political landscape, as Hamas’s disarmament remains a contentious issue, with the group steadfastly refusing to acquiesce to that demand. Both Israel and the United States maintain that Hamas cannot play a role in any future governance of Gaza, as it solidifies its hold over the devastated territory.
