Israel has warned it could resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not adhere to the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire, following the partial return of hostages and deceased individuals.
Under the ceasefire deal facilitated by US President Donald Trump, Hamas has handed over 20 surviving hostages to Israel in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. On Wednesday, the militant group returned the remains of two more deceased hostages, stating that further retrieval would require specialised equipment.
Israel’s Defence Ministry indicated that any refusal by Hamas to comply fully with the agreement could prompt Israel, in coordination with the United States, to resume fighting to achieve its objectives in Gaza.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said it had fulfilled its obligations by returning all living hostages and the bodies it could access. However, it noted that recovering the remaining corpses would require extensive effort and specialised tools.
The situation has heightened domestic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with far-right officials suggesting that humanitarian aid could be tied to the fate of the bodies still held by Hamas. Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, warned that aid shipments might be cut if Hamas does not comply.
Meanwhile, Israel transferred 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, raising the total returned to 90. The Trump plan stipulates that Israel return 15 Palestinian dead for every deceased Israeli hostage.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged Israel to open crossings into Gaza immediately to allow humanitarian assistance, stressing the urgency of providing food, medical supplies, and shelter for civilians. The Rafah crossing with Egypt, the territory’s only route to the outside world bypassing Israel, was expected to reopen, though this had not yet occurred.
The ceasefire has not fully prevented violence. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli fire killed three Palestinians on Wednesday, including two returning to their homes in Shujaiya. The Israeli military stated that troops had struck individuals who approached their positions in violation of the ceasefire lines.