Hey folks🔥, fresh updates from the Gaza frontline: Hamas has handed over more of the bodies of deceased hostages to Israel—honing in on a delicate hostage exchange deal that is testing everyones patience.
Earlier this week, Israel slashed its humanitarian aid to Gaza by 50% to pressure Hamas after the group missed deadlines to transfer remains under last weeks ceasefire. In response, Hamas showed signs of regrouping: theyve deployed hundreds of security forces across Gazas streets and executed suspected collaborators. 😬
Meanwhile, the much-touted peace plan by former US President Donald Trump looks shaky. Trump warned that if Hamas doesnt disarm, "we will disarm them… quickly and perhaps violently." At the same time, Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu insists the war wont end until Hamas surrenders its weapons and control of Gaza—conditions the group refuses to accept.
So far, 20 living Israeli hostages have been freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. But the handover of the 28 dead hostages is still unfolding: eight coffins have crossed over, and at least 19 remain presumed dead, with one still unaccounted for.
Late Tuesday, Israels military received four coffins from the Red Cross at a meeting point in northern Gaza. These are now undergoing forensic identification back in Israel.
On the ground, Gazas humanitarian crisis deepens. Over half a million residents are facing famine after two years of conflict. Aid cuts mean only half the 600 daily trucks needed under the ceasefire are getting through, and plans to open the southern crossing with Egypt for medical evacuations havent kicked off yet.
Why the peace plan faces a rocky road
Experts say two deal-breakers remain: full Israeli troop withdrawal and Hamas disarmament. Li Zixin from the China Institute of International Studies notes both sides distrust each other—Israel fears a security vacuum, while Hamas insists on an entire pullout before any talks can move forward. 🤝❌
Plus, the proposed international security force and a Palestinian technocratic team (a group of experts handling civilian affairs) still lack clear support or funding—leaving many to wonder if the first phase of this “historic dawn” is just a prisoner swap, not a true peace deal, as scholar Shibley Telhami warns.
With setbacks on multiple fronts, a lasting ceasefire in Gaza remains a distant goal. For now, the world watches and waits, hoping that tomorrow’s headlines bring more than just fractured agreements and stalled aid convoys. 🌍💔
Reference(s):
Hamas hands over more bodies as outlook for Trump's peace plan darkens
cgtn.com
