What's happened
Hamas plans to hand over two Israeli hostages and the bodies of 28 others amid ongoing delays at the Rafah crossing. Humanitarian aid is increasing, but Gaza remains devastated. The ceasefire continues, with Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners, while violence persists in some areas. The situation remains complex and fragile.
What's behind the headline?
The recent developments highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The planned handover of hostages and bodies signals a temporary de-escalation, but delays at the Rafah crossing threaten to undermine progress. The release of Palestinian prisoners and the return of hostages are strategic moves that serve political and diplomatic interests, but they do not address the core issues of Gaza's governance or Hamas's disarmament. The continued violence in some areas underscores the difficulty of achieving lasting peace, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions. The international community's role remains critical, with aid efforts expanding but hampered by logistical delays and security concerns. The next few weeks will determine whether this fragile ceasefire can hold or if renewed conflict is imminent.
What the papers say
Gulf News reports that Hamas plans to hand over two Israeli hostages and the bodies of 28 others, amid delays at the Rafah crossing which remains closed until Hamas fulfills its commitments. The UN relief chief, Tom Fletcher, emphasized the devastation in Gaza and the massive humanitarian effort underway, including aid deliveries and infrastructure rebuilding. AP News details the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, highlighting the complex negotiations and the ongoing violence despite the ceasefire. The Times of Israel and The Independent provide personal stories of released hostages and the emotional toll on families, illustrating the human dimension of the conflict. All sources agree that while some progress has been made, the situation remains volatile, with key issues unresolved and the risk of renewed violence high.
How we got here
The conflict escalated after Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israel responded with a military offensive that caused extensive destruction in Gaza, killing over 67,600 Palestinians. A ceasefire brokered by international mediators, including the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, has led to partial hostage releases and prisoner swaps, but key issues like Gaza's governance and Hamas disarmament remain unresolved. The situation is further complicated by delays at the Rafah border crossing and ongoing violence in some areas.
Go deeper
Common question
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More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Yahya Sinwar is the current Palestinian leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, having taken over from Ismail Haniyeh in February 2017. He was one of the co-founders of the security apparatus of Hamas. He is the second most powerful figure within Hamas.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.