The issue of hostage bodies still in Gaza has become a sticking point in the ceasefire implementation, with Israel linking the reopening of the main gateway into the territory to the recovery of all of the deceased.
Relief agencies have called for the Rafah border crossing from Egypt to be reopened to speed the flow of food, fuel and medicines.
Meanwhile, Gaza rescuers reported fresh violence in some areas despite the truce.The issue of hostage bodies still in Gaza has become a sticking point in the ceasefire implementation, with Israel linking the reopening of the main gateway into the territory to the recovery of all of the deceased.
Relief agencies have called for the Rafah border crossing from Egypt to be reopened to speed the flow of food, fuel and medicines.
Gaza rescuers, meanwhile reported fresh violence in some areas despite the truce.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, handed over the remains of two hostages on Saturday night as part of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the Red Cross had received the remains and handed them to Israeli forces for identification.
Netanyahu warned the war in Gaza will not be over until Hamas disarms and the Palestinian territory is demilitarised.
“When that is successfully completed — hopefully in an easy way, but if not, in a hard way — then the war will end,” he said in an appearance on right-wing Israeli Channel 14.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving premier, also told the channel he would contest elections next year and expected to win.
Hamas has so far resisted disarming and, since the pause in fighting, has moved to reassert its control over Gaza.
The US State Department on Saturday said it had “credible reports” that Hamas was planning an imminent attack against civilians in Gaza, warning that it would be a “ceasefire violation”.
“Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” it said in a statement, without elaborating on the nature or target.
- Rafah crossing closed –
Under the US-brokered ceasefire, Hamas has so far released all 20 living hostages along with the remains of 12 dead, including the latest two yet to be identified.
