Israel announced on Sunday that three hostages’ remains were transferred from Gaza for forensic examination, amid a fragile ceasefire that has lasted a month. Earlier, Hamas reported that the remains were discovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, leaving 11 in Gaza prior to this recent handover.
Militants have been gradually releasing one or two bodies every few days, prompting Israel to call for quicker progress, citing cases where the remains did not belong to any hostage. Hamas has cited challenges due to widespread destruction. Israel’s military assured that families would be the first to receive official identification of the remains.
Emotions have been running high among families as they continue to gather weekly, with pleas for restraint. Moran Harari, a friend of Carmel Gat, emphasized the toll of the conflict on both sides during a Jerusalem rally. In response, Israel has reciprocated by returning the remains of 15 Palestinians in exchange for an Israeli hostage’s remains.
Health officials in Gaza have faced difficulties in identifying bodies without access to DNA kits. Only 75 out of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned since the ceasefire have been recognized, as per Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has shared photos to aid families in identification.
The ongoing exchange of remains has been a focal point of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire’s initial phase. The ceasefire plan includes establishing an international stabilization force with Arab partners to secure Gaza’s borders and ensure compliance with the ceasefire. Several nations have expressed interest in participating in a peacekeeping force but have called for a clear UN Security Council mandate before committing troops.
Challenges ahead include discussions on Hamas’ disarmament, governance in postwar Gaza, and the timing and method of increasing humanitarian aid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted the presence of Hamas elements in certain areas of Gaza under Israeli control, stating they would be dealt with.
The conflict, which began with a 2023 Hamas-led attack, resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israel’s military actions have reportedly led to over 68,600 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, with Israel refuting genocide allegations and disputing casualty figures.
