Israel Completes Final Phase of Hostage Exchange with Hamas
In a significant development under the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Israel has returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, according to a statement from a Gaza Health Ministry official. This transfer, which occurred on Thursday, represents the concluding act of the hostage-detainee exchange process that was established as part of the first phase of the US-mediated truce initiated in October.
Details of the Exchange and Ceasefire Terms
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed its role in facilitating the handover, with the bodies being transported to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Zaher al-Wahidi, a spokesperson for the health ministry, provided these details, noting that the return of all remaining hostages, whether alive or deceased, was a cornerstone of the initial ceasefire phase that temporarily halted hostilities.
Under the specific terms of the agreement, Israel committed to returning 15 Palestinian bodies for each recovered hostage. The origins of these bodies remain ambiguous; it is not clear whether they belong to Palestinian detainees who perished while in Israeli custody or individuals whose remains were retrieved from Gaza by Israeli forces during the conflict.
Broader Context of Prisoner and Body Releases
Since the ceasefire came into effect, Israel has released approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were apprehended during the two-year war and held without formal charges. Additionally, Israel has repatriated the bodies of 360 Palestinians to Gaza. The identification process has proven challenging for local officials, prompting the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry to publish photographs of the deceased to assist families in recognition.
Al-Wahidi reported that around 100 of the bodies returned by Israel have been successfully identified by relatives. This exchange follows Israel's announcement earlier in the week regarding the recovery and identification of the remains of the last Israeli hostage, police officer Ran Gvili, after an exhaustive search in a northern Gaza cemetery.
Historical Background and Impact of the War
The conflict, triggered by the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals. Gvili, a 24-year-old officer affectionately known as "Rani," lost his life while engaging Hamas militants. The return of his body has brought a measure of closure to a deeply painful episode for Israel, paving the way for the subsequent, more complex phase of the ceasefire.
This next stage involves the deployment of an international security force, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the reconstruction of Gaza. However, the transition has been marred by ongoing violence.
Continued Violence and Casualty Figures
Despite the initiation of the second phase of the ceasefire deal by US envoy Steve Witkoff earlier this month, Israeli military actions continue to claim Palestinian lives in Gaza on a near-daily basis. On Thursday, Israeli fire killed two Palestinians in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza, with their bodies taken to Nasser hospital. Health officials indicated that these incidents occurred in zones not under Israeli control.
Another Israeli strike in central Gaza resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries, according to reports from Al-Aqsa martyrs hospital. The Gaza Health Ministry has recorded around 492 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began, though its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. These casualty records are generally regarded as reliable by United Nations agencies and independent analysts.
The Israeli military has defended its actions, stating that some of those killed in recent months were near the ceasefire line separating Israeli-held territories from the majority of Gaza's Palestinian population, and that it targets individuals deemed threats to its forces.
Prospects for the Rafah Border Crossing
For Palestinians separated from their families by the war and the thousands seeking to return to Gaza, the potential reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt is a matter of urgent importance. Israeli officials have suggested that the crossing may open soon, but the specifics regarding the number of people permitted to enter or exit remain uncertain.
Preparations are currently focused on allowing a limited number of medical evacuees, wounded during the conflict, to travel abroad for essential treatment. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified that the crossing will not be accessible for goods at this time. Rafah, serving as Gaza's primary connection to the external world, has been predominantly closed since May 2024.
Reporting contributions were made from Cairo, with additional input from Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in the same location.
