Israel–Hamas Ceasefire Under Strain: 4 More Hostage Bodies Returned

Israel–Hamas Ceasefire Under Strain: 4 More Hostage Bodies Returned amid rising tensions. Hamas has returned the bodies of four more deceased Israeli hostages, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed late on Tuesday, in what officials described as another step under the terms of the Trump-brokered 2025 Gaza ceasefire plan.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) retrieved the remains from Gaza and transferred them in coffins to Israeli custody. The IDF said identification procedures were underway at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.

The return came after Israel warned that it would restrict humanitarian aid and keep the Rafah crossing closed unless Hamas complied fully with the agreement to return all 28 deceased hostages. The group had released 20 living captives and four deceased hostages a day earlier.

Israel–Hamas Ceasefire Under Strain: 4 More Hostage Bodies Returned

Israel Tightens Gaza Aid Restrictions

In response to what officials called “non-compliance” with the ceasefire deal, Israel notified the United Nations that only 300 aid trucks would be permitted daily into Gaza—half of the agreed amount. Fuel and gas shipments, vital for hospitals and water facilities, were halted except for limited humanitarian purposes.

“Hamas is required to fulfil its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all hostages to their families and for proper burial,” — Israeli Defense Forces statement, Tuesday.

The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which oversees aid, said Israel would review access levels “day by day” depending on Hamas’s compliance. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed the restrictions, warning that famine conditions in Gaza could worsen.

UN and Aid Agencies Sound Alarm

The United Nations, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) urged Israel to lift restrictions and allow full access to humanitarian convoys. UNICEF said at least 600 trucks daily were needed to stabilize Gaza’s humanitarian situation.

“We’re far from that target. The level of destruction is immense,” said UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires. “We need medical supplies, food, and clean water to reach civilians now.”

OCHA’s Jens Laerke said that 190,000 tonnes of aid remained stalled at the border, awaiting Israeli clearance.

Trump’s Peace Plan Faces Early Challenges

The ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, signed last week and mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, is part of a 20-point peace plan crafted by US President Donald Trump. It aimed to end two years of war in Gaza through phased disarmament, prisoner exchanges, and reconstruction.

Under the agreement:

• Hamas would return 48 Israeli hostages (20 alive, 28 deceased).
• Israel would release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• Israeli forces would partially withdraw from key urban areas.
• Humanitarian access through Rafah and Kerem Shalom would resume.
• A “Board of Peace” transitional committee would govern Gaza until power transfers to a reformed Palestinian Authority.

But as of Tuesday night, the plan was only partially implemented. While all living hostages were returned, the delay in recovering the bodies of the dead has triggered diplomatic strain and public anger.

Public Anger in Israel Over Delays

Celebrations over the release of living hostages were quickly overshadowed by grief and outrage among families still awaiting the return of their loved ones’ remains.

At a parliamentary session in Jerusalem, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana removed his yellow hostage ribbon in front of lawmakers to mark the hostages’ release, thanking Trump for his role. For some families, the gesture felt premature.

“It was disrespectful – no sympathy,” said Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was confirmed dead in Gaza. “They acted like it was over. But it’s not.”

By Tuesday night, only eight of the 28 deceased hostages had been returned. Critics accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritizing political optics over full accountability.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of the abducted, issued a sharp statement:

“Those who remove hostage pins and applaud loudly conceal their responsibility and betray Jewish values.”

Families Plead for Action

In interviews with BBC and CNN, relatives described a mix of relief and anguish. Rotem Cooper, whose father Amiram Cooper was killed in Gaza, said the families were trying “to find strength and continue the fight.”

“It’s not over. We expected at least 15 to 20 of the deceased to be released, not just four. Hamas is playing games,” Cooper said. Yael Adar, mother of slain hostage Tamir Adar, expressed similar frustration.

“Why are the dead bodies less worthy? What was signed in the agreement was that they’d return them as soon as possible.”

Hamas has said that locating all remains is difficult due to extensive Israeli bombardment, which left parts of Gaza in ruins. Israeli intelligence estimates that several bodies may be buried beneath destroyed buildings, complicating recovery efforts.

International Task Force to Locate Bodies

Israeli and international officials confirmed that a joint task force—agreed upon in Trump’s plan—will begin work soon to locate unrecovered bodies. The operation will involve forensic teams, satellite mapping, and coordination with Red Cross investigators.

“A big burden has been lifted, but the job is not done,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding:

“The dead have not been returned, as promised! Phase Two begins now!”

Trump reiterated that Hamas must disarm or face consequences, saying during a White House briefing:

“If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them—and it will happen quickly, perhaps violently.”

Ceasefire Fragility and Isolated Clashes

Despite the truce, sporadic violence has continued in parts of Gaza. The Palestinian Civil Defence reported that seven people were killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday in incidents near Gaza City and Khan Younis.

According to Wafa News Agency, an Israeli drone strike in Shejaiya killed five civilians “inspecting their homes.” The IDF said the strike targeted individuals who crossed the yellow buffer line established under Trump’s ceasefire terms.

Meanwhile, reports emerged of Hamas fighters executing suspected collaborators in Gaza City, drawing local outrage. Hamas said it was “restoring security” and preventing looting, but residents described growing fear.

Also Read: Hamas “Already Violating” Gaza Peace Deal: Ex-Israeli Defence Spokesman

Rafah Crossing Remains Closed

Israel’s security cabinet confirmed that Rafah crossing with Egypt will remain closed until further notice, citing Hamas’s failure to meet deadlines.

The closure has blocked humanitarian access and delayed fuel shipments critical for hospitals, desalination plants, and bakeries.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported from Gaza City that “300 trucks a day is not enough to change anything,” warning that hunger and disease were spreading rapidly.

Palestinian Prisoners Rejoice at Release

While anger brews in Israel, scenes in Gaza and the West Bank reflected jubilation as nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees were released. Many were greeted with cheers and fireworks.

The freed included 250 life-sentenced prisoners and 1,700 held without charge. Palestinian media described the releases as “a victory for resistance.”

In Ramallah, families held mass gatherings to welcome returnees, with posters hailing the “prisoners of freedom.” The exchange—seen as a major concession by Israel—was the centrepiece of Phase One of Trump’s peace plan.

Trump Hails ‘Milestone for Peace’

Visiting Jerusalem and Cairo on Monday, Trump hailed the ceasefire as a “historic turning point” and urged leaders to transform “military victory into lasting peace.”

“Israel, with our help, has won what it could by force of arms. Now it must win peace,” he told lawmakers in the Knesset.

More than 20 world leaders attended the signing, including Egypt’s President el-Sisi, Qatar’s Emir Tamim al-Thani, Turkey’s President Erdoğan, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron. Neither Netanyahu nor Hamas leaders attended, though both endorsed the plan indirectly.

Unresolved Core Issues

Analysts warn that the ceasefire’s second phase—covering disarmament, governance, and troop withdrawal—faces steep challenges.

• Hamas insists it will not disarm until a Palestinian state is recognized.
• Israel demands total demilitarization and an end to weapons smuggling.
• Gaza governance remains contested; the transitional “Board of Peace” lacks clear authority.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told CBS that Trump’s conditions are “very clear”:

“Hamas must demilitarise—or all hell breaks loose.”

Trump echoed the sentiment, saying:

“They said they would disarm. And if they don’t, we will disarm them.”

Ceasefire Under Growing Pressure

The fragile truce has largely held, but public skepticism in both Israel and Gaza is mounting.
Palestinians fear Israel may abandon the next negotiation phase, citing Hamas’s delays.

Israelis worry that Trump’s plan could leave Hamas partially armed and politically emboldened. Tayseer Abed, a Gaza-based writer, described the situation as “a dangerous test.”

“If Israel refuses to move forward and Hamas delays returning bodies, this could ignite a new round of conflict.”

Human Cost of the Two-Year War

The conflict, which began with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken, has left deep scars.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, over 67,900 Palestinians have been killed and 170,000 wounded since Israeli operations began. Thousands more remain missing under the rubble.

The war devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving hospitals, schools, and homes in ruins. The UN says 1.8 million residents remain displaced, and famine conditions persist in northern areas.

‘Not Over Yet,’ Say Families

For the families of those still missing, the slow progress has been agonizing. At the Re’im military base in southern Israel, families gathered to witness the return of the living hostages on Monday, hoping for closure.

“It’s a big rollercoaster,” said Rotem Cooper. “We celebrated, but then realized our fathers are still not home.”

Ruby Chen, whose son Itay remains in Gaza, urged mediators to keep pressure on Hamas:

“We were overjoyed to see the 20 hostages return, but disappointed not to see more of the deceased come out. We ask the US, Israel, and mediators to ensure Hamas honours the agreement.”

Identification and Reburials

The IDF confirmed Tuesday night that the four bodies returned—Guy Illouz (26), Bipin Joshi (23, Nepal), Yossi Sharabi (53), and Daniel Peretz (22)—have been formally identified and reburied in Israel.

Each was among the victims captured on October 7. Memorial ceremonies were held in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, attended by relatives and senior military officers.

Looking Ahead: Phase Two and Uncertain Peace

As Phase Two of Trump’s plan begins, diplomats are preparing for renewed talks on demilitarisation, border management, and postwar reconstruction. An international monitoring group, possibly involving US and EU observers, is expected to oversee implementation.

Still, doubts persist about whether both sides can maintain restraint long enough to consolidate peace. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz called the delays “a failure to uphold commitments,” but stopped short of military threats—signalling that the ceasefire could still survive if progress continues.

Also Read: Trump’s 2025 Middle East Peace Plan – Hamas Rejects ‘Absurd’ Gaza Terms

Conclusion

The return of four more hostage bodies has brought temporary relief but not closure.
For Israel, it underscores the emotional toll and political complexity of ending the Gaza war. For Palestinians, it deepens fears of renewed blockade and suffering.

And for the international community, it tests whether Trump’s 2025 peace plan can hold under the weight of history, mistrust, and grief. As one Israeli mother put it at a vigil in Tel Aviv: “The war may have paused. But for us, it’s not over until every soul—living or dead—comes home.”