Palestinians walk among destroyed buildings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
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Jehad Alshrafi/AP
JERUSALEM — Israel recently confirmed the retrieval of three hostages’ remains from Gaza, marking a significant development as the month-old ceasefire continues to hold.
An announcement from Hamas earlier stated that the remains were discovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza.
Since the ceasefire came into effect on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, leaving 11 still in Gaza before the recent handover.
Israel’s military has stated that the official identification of these remains will be communicated to the families first.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that the remains of Omer Neutra, an American-Israeli citizen, were among those returned by Hamas. Neutra, who served as a tank platoon commander in the Israel Defense Forces, was believed to have been killed in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that sparked the conflict.
Trump expressed that Neutra’s parents were both thrilled and saddened by the news.
Militants have been gradually releasing the bodies of hostages, with Israel pushing for a faster process to verify the remains. Emotions among families have been intense, with weekly rallies taking place.
Israel has also been reciprocating by returning the remains of Palestinians in exchange for the remains of an Israeli hostage.
Since the ceasefire began, health officials in Gaza have faced challenges in identifying bodies due to a lack of access to DNA kits. Only 75 of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned have been identified, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The ongoing ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., includes plans for an international stabilization force to secure Gaza’s borders and ensure compliance with the ceasefire terms. However, questions remain regarding Hamas’ disarmament, postwar governance in Gaza, and the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there are still pockets of Hamas in certain areas of Gaza under Israeli control, vowing to eliminate them during a recent Cabinet meeting.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with the 2023 attack by Hamas, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The exchange of remains has been a crucial aspect of the ceasefire, signaling a step towards peace and reconciliation.
As the region navigates through the aftermath of the conflict, the focus remains on ensuring stability, security, and humanitarian assistance for the residents of Gaza.
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