Hamas Returns Israeli Captive, Promises More Hostages Will Be Released
- The Qassam Brigades, HamasS armed wing, handed over the remains of a captive recovered from the Gaza Strip, urging increased aid deliveries as part of the ongoing ceasefire...
- The qassam Brigades announced on Friday that its fighters handed over the remains of a captive at 11 PM local time (20:00 GMT) without providing specific details about...
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office swiftly confirmed the receipt of the coffin,stating it was handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza.
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Hamas Returns Remains of Captive Recovered in Gaza
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The Qassam Brigades, HamasS armed wing, handed over the remains of a captive recovered from the Gaza Strip, urging increased aid deliveries as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement.
Details of the handover
The qassam Brigades announced on Friday that its fighters handed over the remains of a captive at 11 PM local time (20:00 GMT) without providing specific details about the recovery location. The group identified the remains as belonging to an “occupation prisoner,” suggesting an Israeli national, rather than one of the captives of other nationalities also taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office swiftly confirmed the receipt of the coffin,stating it was handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza. The remains will be transferred to Israel’s National Center for Forensic Medicine for formal identification before the family is notified.
The Israeli military has requested public sensitivity during the identification process and reiterated Hamas’s obligation to return all deceased hostages as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.
Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage Returns
This handover is part of a US-mediated ceasefire deal between Israel and hamas, which began on November 24, 2023. The agreement initially involved the release of 50 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in israeli jails. The ceasefire was extended on November 27, 2023, allowing for the release of additional hostages and prisoners according to Reuters.
While the initial phase of the agreement focused on living hostages, the current phase includes the return of the remains of deceased captives. Hamas has stated its commitment to fulfilling this aspect of the agreement, emphasizing the need for increased aid access to Gaza to facilitate the recovery efforts.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Hamas’s call for increased aid deliveries underscores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Even with the ceasefire in effect,aid access remains limited,hindering efforts to provide essential supplies to the civilian population. Al Jazeera reports that aid deliveries continue to face Israeli roadblocks a week into the ceasefire.
The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in widespread destruction and displacement in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry,over 1