‍ Initial progress in teh release of hostages held by Hamas has slowed, with the return⁤ of ⁤bodies lagging behind the release of living⁣ captives. While Hamas‌ freed the last 20 ‌living hostages by the⁢ agreed-upon deadline of 9:00 AM GMT on October 13, 2023, only ten of ​the 28 bodies held by the group have been returned as of October​ 18, ‌2023.
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Search and Rescue Team awaits Access to Rafah

​ ‌ ‌ ‌A team of 81⁢ members from Afad, the Turkish disaster management agency, is positioned to enter‌ the Rafah border enclave to aid in the search for remains.A⁢ Turkish official stated on ⁤October 13, 2023, that the⁤ team is prepared to conduct search and rescue operations in damaged ​areas, including the recovery ​of both⁣ Israeli and Palestinian victims. ​ Reuters reported ⁤ on this readiness.

Restricted Access and Border ‌Reopening

⁢ Despite the truce,​ access to Gaza remains heavily restricted by israel. The ceasefire⁢ agreement stipulated ⁤the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Palestinian territory, but as of​ october 18, 2023, it remains closed. Al Jazeera reported on ‍the continued closure of the Rafah crossing on October 15, 2023.
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⁣On October 15,2023,Israel announced its intention to ⁢reopen the Rafah border ⁢on October‍ 16,2023,but did not specify whether the opening ‌would be⁤ for individuals or humanitarian aid. The Times of Israel detailed this declaration.

Latest Hostage Returned Identified

​ The ⁤Israel Defense Forces (IDF)‍ announced on ⁣October 18, ⁣2023, ⁢that the hostage handed ⁣over by ⁣Hamas was 75-year-old Eliyahu Margalit, who ‌was killed during ⁣the⁤ October ‌7, 2023, attack. the Jerusalem Post reported on the identification of ⁣Margalit.