Hamas Delivers Two Coffins to Red Cross Amid Ceasefire Tensions

Israel’s military announced that Hamas has handed over “two coffins of deceased hostages” to the Red Cross in Gaza. This transfer took place late on Saturday local time and is part of ongoing negotiations surrounding a ceasefire aimed at concluding two years of conflict. The identities of the deceased hostages have not yet been disclosed. Over the past week, Hamas has also returned the remains of 10 of the 28 dead hostages still in Gaza.

The Israeli government has expressed urgency for Hamas to expedite the return of the remaining remains. In response, Hamas claimed that extensive devastation, the presence of unexploded ordnance, and Israeli military control in some areas are complicating the retrieval process. As the situation develops, Israel continues to return the remains of Palestinians, often without identification, relying on numbers alone.

Border Crossing and Humanitarian Concerns

In related developments, Israel announced that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed “until further notice.” This decision follows a statement from the Palestinian embassy in Egypt, which indicated that the crossing would reopen on Monday for individuals returning to Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office clarified that the reopening of Rafah is contingent on Hamas’s compliance with the ceasefire agreement concerning the return of all 28 dead hostages.

The crossing, the only entry point not controlled by Israel before the conflict, has been closed since May 2024, when Israel took control of the Gaza side. The reopening of the crossing would facilitate greater access for Gazans seeking medical treatment and allow for family visits. As of now, humanitarian aid into Gaza remains limited, with Hamas urging increased assistance for the territory’s population of approximately 2 million.

Casualty Figures and Ongoing Tension

The situation in Gaza continues to be dire. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 68,000, with thousands still unaccounted for. The Ministry’s casualty figures are generally regarded as reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, although Israel disputes these numbers without providing its own estimates.

The ceasefire negotiations also involve the return of hostages. On Friday, Israel confirmed the identification of a 10th hostage, identified as Eliyahu Margalit, a 76-year-old abducted during the initial attack on October 7, 2023. His remains were found in a location in the southern city of Khan Younis. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he would support a resumption of military actions by Israel if Hamas fails to return all deceased hostages.

Families of the abducted remain active in their search for their loved ones. The hostage support forum continues to organize weekly rallies, emphasizing their commitment to bring back all deceased hostages. One mother, Einav Zangauker, whose son was among the 20 living hostages returned last week, voiced her determination during a rally in Tel Aviv, stating, “We will bring back all the deceased hostages!”

As humanitarian concerns mount, the situation is further complicated by accusations of ceasefire violations. Hamas has claimed that Israeli forces have continued to conduct attacks, resulting in additional casualties. Reports indicate that at least nine individuals were killed in an incident on Friday when their vehicle was reportedly struck by Israeli fire in Gaza City.

Israel’s military stated that they acted in accordance with the ceasefire, citing the vehicle’s approach as a potential threat. The ongoing violence underscores the precarious nature of the ceasefire and the urgent need for a comprehensive resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.