In a development that underscores the fragile hope for peace, Israel has announced the return of a hostage's remains from Gaza, marking a critical step in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. But here's where it gets controversial: while this move signals progress, it also highlights the painstakingly slow process of recovering and identifying the remains of those lost in the conflict. How many more families will have to wait for closure?
The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that the remains of a hostage have been transferred from Gaza, adding to the 20 already returned by Hamas since the ceasefire began on October 10. If forensic testing confirms the identity, seven more sets of remains are still unaccounted for in Gaza. This ceasefire aims to end the deadliest and most destructive war between Israel and Hamas, a conflict that has left deep scars on both sides.
And this is the part most people miss: Hamas’s military wing claimed earlier Tuesday to have recovered the body of an Israeli soldier in Gaza, intending to hand it over. However, Israel’s statement did not specify whether the returned remains belonged to a soldier, leaving room for speculation and uncertainty.
The process of returning remains has been slow, with militants in Gaza releasing one to three bodies every few days. Israel has pushed for faster returns, occasionally disputing whether the remains belong to hostages. Hamas attributes the delays to the widespread devastation in Gaza, complicating recovery efforts. For every Israeli hostage returned, Israel has released the remains of 15 Palestinians. So far, 270 Palestinian bodies have been handed over, with fewer than half identified due to a lack of DNA testing kits in Gaza. The Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, posts photos of the remains online in hopes of identification, a grim reminder of the human cost of this conflict.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 68,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. While Israel denies accusations of genocide by a U.N. commission and others, it has disputed the ministry’s figures without providing alternative data.
Here’s where it gets even more contentious: The United States has proposed a draft text for the U.N. Security Council to mandate an international stabilization force in Gaza for at least two years. This proposal, confirmed by U.S. officials, is an early blueprint for what could be lengthy negotiations. Arab and other nations interested in participating have indicated that U.N. backing is essential for their involvement. One official noted the draft is a starting point for consensus, not yet formally circulated.
Efforts to increase aid to Gaza are also underway. Since the ceasefire, the World Food Program (WFP) has reached one million people with food parcels, but more border crossings are needed to scale up operations. Ross Smith, WFP’s director of emergency preparedness, emphasized, “We need all crossings to be open. Right now, there’s only two. We need all internal routes inside Gaza to be accessible to us, and right now they are not.” Singapore’s foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the aid process during a visit to the West Bank, witnessing the handover of $24 million in aid to the WFP.
Nearly 40 countries and international organizations now have representatives at a U.S.-led center in Israel to coordinate aid and monitor the ceasefire, according to the U.S. Central Command.
But here’s the question that lingers: As the world watches these developments, will this ceasefire truly pave the way for lasting peace, or is it merely a temporary pause in a cycle of violence? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
