Hamas handed over the bodies of more deceased hostages to Israel following Israel's threat to halve humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. Israel stated it would cut aid in half to punish Hamas for violating the cease-fire agreement by not transferring the remains. The situation escalated when President Trump threatened Hamas with military strikes if they did not disarm, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded Hamas surrender its weapons and cede control of Gaza.
The exchange of bodies was a critical, albeit partial, resolution to a detail of the cease-fire deal. Hamas has now provided eight coffins of dead hostages, with at least 19 others presumed dead and one missing. The Israeli military confirmed receiving four coffins from the Red Cross in northern Gaza, which were then transported to Israel for forensic identification. Hamas confirmed the handover was proceeding as agreed.
Israel had decided to restrict aid, allowing only half the agreed-upon number of trucks, and delay opening the southern border crossing to Egypt due to Hamas's alleged violation of the cease-fire. This aid reduction comes as Gaza faces widespread destruction and famine, with a significant need for daily aid shipments.
Concurrently, Hamas has been reasserting its control within Gaza following a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops. Hamas fighters have become more visible on the streets, and the group has stated it will not tolerate further disorder, vo... download the app to read more
Follow top global news sources, read AI-powered summaries, ask AI your questions, translate news into your language, and join live chats — all with YoyoFeed!
