What's happened
As of October 19, 2025, Israel has received two more bodies of hostages from Hamas under a US-brokered ceasefire, bringing the total to 12 of 28. Israeli PM Netanyahu has linked reopening the Rafah crossing to the full return of hostage remains, while Hamas warns closure delays recovery efforts. The ceasefire's second phase, involving Hamas disarmament, remains unresolved amid ongoing tensions.
What's behind the headline?
Hostage Remains as Leverage
The return of hostage bodies has become a critical bargaining chip in the ceasefire's fragile implementation. Israel's insistence on receiving all 28 deceased hostages' remains before reopening the Rafah crossing underscores a strategy to maintain pressure on Hamas. This move effectively restricts Gazans' movement and access to Egypt, exacerbating humanitarian concerns.
Ceasefire Fragility and Political Stakes
The ceasefire's first phase, focused on hostage returns and aid, is incomplete, with Hamas citing difficulties locating bodies amid destruction. Israel accuses Hamas of deliberate delays. Netanyahu's framing of the second phase—disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza—as essential to ending the war signals a hardline stance that will likely prolong tensions.
Humanitarian Impact and Regional Dynamics
The closure of Rafah impedes not only civilian movement but also the entry of equipment needed for recovering bodies, as Hamas warns. Aid deliveries continue via Israeli-controlled crossings but remain insufficient against Gaza's dire needs. The reopening of Rafah solely for Palestinians residing in Egypt, as announced by the Palestinian embassy, is limited and contingent on political developments.
Forecast and Consequences
The deadlock over hostage remains and crossing access will likely persist, risking the ceasefire's collapse. Hamas's resistance to disarmament and Israel's firm conditions suggest a protracted stalemate. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains precarious, with famine and unexploded ordnance posing ongoing threats. International mediation faces significant challenges in bridging these divides.
What the papers say
Nidal Al-Mughrabi in The Japan Times reports Netanyahu's statement linking the Rafah crossing reopening to Hamas's full compliance on returning hostage remains, highlighting US concerns over ceasefire violations. The Independent details the identification of hostages' bodies and the complex exchange involving Palestinian detainees and hostages, emphasizing the humanitarian toll and Hamas's internal governance challenges. The New Arab provides insight into the timing and logistics of the body handovers, including Israel's military actions and the ongoing violence despite the ceasefire. SBS quotes Netanyahu's firm stance on disarming Hamas as a war-ending condition and outlines the limited aid flow and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The South China Morning Post focuses on the political dispute over Rafah's reopening, Hamas's accusations of Israeli violations, and the broader challenges to Trump's 20-point peace plan. The Times of Israel highlights the Israeli government's refusal to reopen Rafah until all hostages' bodies are returned, reflecting domestic pressure and the strategic use of the crossing. The New Arab also reveals US envoy Steve Witkoff's feelings of betrayal over Israeli strikes on Hamas negotiators, illustrating the fragile nature of mediation efforts. Together, these sources paint a picture of a tense, multifaceted standoff where humanitarian needs, political leverage, and security concerns intertwine, with the hostage remains issue at the core of ongoing disputes.
How we got here
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the US in October 2025, halted two years of war. It includes hostage releases, return of deceased hostages' bodies, and aid flow into Gaza. The Rafah crossing, key for Gazan movement, has been closed since May 2024. Disputes over returning bodies and disarming Hamas threaten the fragile truce.
Go deeper
- What is the significance of the Rafah crossing in the ceasefire?
- How many hostages has Hamas returned so far?
- What are the main obstacles to the ceasefire's second phase?
Common question
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What’s the Latest on the Gaza Ceasefire and Negotiations?
The situation in Gaza remains tense as Israel and Hamas dispute the progress of a US-brokered ceasefire. Key issues include the return of hostages and bodies, the reopening of border crossings, and ongoing military actions. If you're wondering what’s happening right now and how negotiations are shaping the conflict, read on for the most recent updates and answers to your questions.
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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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