What's happened
Hamas has returned the body of 76-year-old hostage Eliyahu Margalit, the 10th to be recovered since the ceasefire began. The process of returning remaining bodies and aid delivery continues amid ongoing tensions and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel warns of resuming military action if all hostages are not returned today.
What's behind the headline?
The recent return of Margalit’s body signifies a fragile step toward de-escalation, but underlying issues remain unresolved. Hamas’s refusal to disarm and ongoing delays in aid delivery highlight the deep mistrust and complexity of the ceasefire. The international community’s backing for the deal underscores its importance, yet the threat of renewed conflict looms if conditions are not fully met. The focus on hostage recovery masks broader issues of reconstruction, civilian suffering, and the potential for escalation, which will likely dominate regional stability in the coming weeks. The US’s warning from Trump and Israel’s readiness to resume military operations suggest that this ceasefire is precarious and could collapse if negotiations falter.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports that President Trump has warned Israel to prepare for renewed fighting if all hostage remains are not returned, emphasizing the political pressure behind the scenes. The Times of Israel highlights the ongoing efforts to recover bodies and deliver aid, noting the challenges posed by Gaza’s destruction and unexploded ordnance. The Jerusalem Post confirms Margalit’s body was identified after testing, and details the broader humanitarian crisis, including famine and casualties, with UN data showing limited aid entry. These sources collectively illustrate the tension between diplomatic efforts and the threat of renewed conflict, with each emphasizing different aspects of the ongoing crisis.
How we got here
The conflict escalated in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, abducting civilians including Eliyahu Margalit. A ceasefire was brokered, leading to the return of some hostage remains and a temporary pause in hostilities. The ongoing negotiations focus on returning all hostage bodies, opening aid routes, and rebuilding Gaza, amid a backdrop of significant casualties and humanitarian suffering.
Go deeper
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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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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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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.