Israel has stated that the three sets of remains handed over by Hamas in Gaza to the Red Cross do not belong to any hostages, marking a setback to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The handover came after Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza on Friday, completing an exchange following the militants’ earlier transfer of two hostages’ remains.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the three sets of remains did not belong to hostages, leaving uncertainty about the identities of the individuals. Hamas’ armed wing reported offering samples of unidentified bodies on Friday, but Israel declined and requested the remains for examination, stating it handed them over to refute Israeli claims. Health officials in Gaza have faced difficulties identifying bodies due to a lack of access to DNA kits.
In Tel Aviv, families and supporters gathered to demand the return of all hostages, as Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages since the ceasefire began on October 10. Eleven hostages’ bodies are still in Gaza, with militants gradually releasing one or two bodies every few days, while Israel has urged a faster process. Hamas cited challenges such as extensive destruction and Israeli military presence hindering their efforts.
The truce faced a significant test when Israel conducted strikes across Gaza earlier in the week, resulting in over 100 casualties in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah. Jordan’s foreign minister cautioned about Israel’s military presence in Gaza jeopardizing the ceasefire at the Manama Dialogue security summit. He emphasized the necessity of a Palestinian police force managing security, aided by an international stabilization force under a UN Security Council mandate.
The U.S. peace plan includes establishing a temporary international stabilization force comprising Arab partners to collaborate with Egypt and Jordan on securing Gaza’s borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire terms. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, engaged with Israeli officials on the matter. Multiple nations expressed interest in contributing to a peacekeeping force but emphasized the need for a clear UN mandate.
Challenges ahead involve Hamas’ disarmament, postwar governance in Gaza, and the timing and method of escalating humanitarian aid. Indonesia offered to deploy thousands of troops to Gaza, advocating for an independent Palestinian state while emphasizing Israel’s safety and security. The deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas began in 2023 with Hamas’ attack, leading to numerous casualties and hostages, setting the stage for the current negotiations and peace efforts.