The body, which Hamas states belongs to a hostage, has been transferred to Israel. This action is part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, which is integrated into a US proposal aimed at resolving the conflict in Gaza.
Upon arrival in Israel, the body will undergo a military ceremony and subsequent identification procedures, as confirmed by the Israeli prime minister's office.
Red Cross vehicles facilitated the collection of the body hours after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a joint statement indicating its discovery in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza.
Context of the Ceasefire Agreement
The current ceasefire agreement stipulated the return of 20 living hostages and 28 deceased hostages held by Hamas.
- All living Israeli hostages were released on October 13, 2023. This exchange involved 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.
- The transfer of this body, if confirmed as a hostage, would bring the total to 25 out of the 28 deceased hostages handed over under the initial phase of the deal.
- For each deceased Israeli hostage returned, Israel committed to transferring the remains of 15 Palestinians. Challenges exist in identification due to the absence of DNA testing facilities in Gaza.
Background of the Conflict
Hamas initiated an attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the seizure of 251 hostages.
- In response, Israel's retaliatory actions have led to over 69,000 Palestinian deaths, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The UN considers these figures reliable, while Israel disputes them.
- Prior to this latest transfer, four bodies remained in Gaza: three Israeli and one Thai national.
Challenges and Future Plans
Israel has publicly accused Hamas of impeding the recovery of hostage bodies. Hamas, in turn, has stated difficulties in locating bodies beneath rubble.
The pace of these transfers has impacted progress on the second phase of the US President's Gaza peace plan. This phase is intended to cover:
- The future governance of Gaza.
- The withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region.
- The disarmament of Hamas.
- The reconstruction efforts for the Gaza Strip.