Post by : Meena Ariff

Israel has handed over 15 bodies of Palestinians killed during the Gaza conflict, following the recovery of the last hostage’s remains. This significant step is seen as opening the door to advance the next phase of the US-led peace plan, which has been stalled amid deep divisions.

Gaza’s health ministry confirmed receipt of the bodies and is working to identify them. Since October, only 99 Palestinian bodies returned have been identified, with many unrecognized remains buried in mass graves due to the difficulties in identification.

One notable figure among the hostages was Israeli police officer Ron Gvili, captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, cross-border attack that ignited the war. When the ceasefire deal was struck, 48 hostages remained in Gaza, 28 of whom were believed dead, including Gvili.

The ceasefire agreement required the release of all hostages—alive or deceased—as part of its first phase. While this milestone has been reached, broader issues like Hamas disarmament and future steps remain contentious.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the return, calling it the conclusion of a months-long operation that reunited families and helped implement the ceasefire. The process began in October with hostage releases and prisoner exchanges, progressing through multiple stages.

Despite the ceasefire, violence continues to flare, with recent Israeli strikes near Khan Younis killing two men, and ongoing clashes causing hundreds of casualties in Gaza since the truce began. Both sides blame each other for violations.

As the US and mediators Egypt and Qatar prepare to push forward, they face the tough challenge of addressing Hamas’s refusal to disarm and deploying international peacekeepers—critical issues that will test the fragile peace process ahead.

#world news #Global News