Israel stated on Saturday that the three bodies handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza do not correspond to any hostages, marking a setback to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the conflict with Hamas. The handover came after Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza on Friday, completing an exchange following the militants’ earlier delivery of two hostages’ remains.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the three bodies were not those of hostages, raising uncertainty about their identities. Hamas’ armed wing indicated that they had offered samples of unidentified bodies on Friday, but Israel declined and requested the bodies for further examination to determine their identities.
The exchange was made to counter Israel’s claims, according to a statement by Hamas. Health officials in Gaza have faced challenges in identifying bodies due to the lack of access to DNA kits.
In Tel Aviv, families and supporters gathered once more on Saturday night demanding the return of all hostages. Since the ceasefire commenced on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 still held in Gaza. Israel has urged a quicker resolution, while Hamas cited complications caused by extensive destruction and Israeli military presence in certain areas.
The truce faced a major test earlier in the week when Israel conducted strikes across Gaza, resulting in over 100 casualties, in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah. Jordan’s foreign minister warned at a security summit that Israel’s continued military presence in Gaza jeopardizes the ceasefire, advocating for a Palestinian police force supported by an international stabilization force with a UN mandate to maintain security.
The U.S. peace plan outlines the deployment of a temporary international stabilization force to secure Gaza’s borders and ensure ceasefire compliance, with discussions ongoing on the involvement of various nations. Challenges remain regarding Hamas’ disarmament, governance post-war, and the expansion of humanitarian aid.
Indonesia has offered to contribute troops for peacekeeping efforts in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a clear UN mandate before committing resources. The deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas, ignited by a 2023 Hamas-led attack, has seen significant casualties and humanitarian concerns, prompting international efforts to stabilize the region and support peace initiatives.