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Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz threatens renewed military action if Hamas fails to honour a US-brokered Gaza Ceasefire.
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Hamas returned two more bodies of deceased hostages, citing lack of equipment to retrieve remaining corpses.
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The ceasefire deal has seen 20 surviving hostages returned in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel has issued a stern warning to Hamas that fighting will resume if the Islamist group violates the terms of a US-backed Gaza ceasefire. The declaration came from Defence Minister Israel Katz following Hamas’s handover of two additional deceased hostages.
Under the agreement, brokered by US President Donald Trump, Hamas has returned 20 surviving hostages in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
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However, of the 28 known deceased hostages, only eight bodies have been returned, with the remaining retrievals hampered by the need for specialized equipment.
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If Hamas refuses to comply with the agreement, Israel, in coordination with the United States, will resume fighting and act to achieve a total defeat of Hamas,” Katz’s office said.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also warned that humanitarian aid to Gaza could be cut off if Hamas fails to return the bodies of Israeli soldiers still in custody.
Hamas Response
Hamas’s armed wing, Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that it had fulfilled its obligations regarding living hostages and bodies accessible with current resources, emphasizing that retrieving remaining corpses requires extensive effort and special equipment.
Humanitarian Concerns
Israel has transferred 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, bringing the total returned to 90. The UN humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, urged Israel to immediately open crossings into Gaza for aid delivery.
Fletcher emphasized that the true test of the ceasefire is ensuring children are fed, hospitals have supplies, and shelters are provided.
Ongoing Challenges
Ceasefire compliance remains fragile. Gaza’s civil defence reported three Palestinians killed by Israeli fire while attempting to reach homes. Israel cited the incident as a violation of the ceasefire after suspects crossed the designated yellow line in northern Gaza.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Aid restrictions and ongoing political disputes, including Hamas’s refusal to disarm, continue to complicate the restoration of peace.
