Hamas Vows to Uphold Truce and Recover Hostage Bodies in Gaza
Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that brought an end to its devastating war with Israel, emphasizing that it will continue efforts to recover and return the bodies of all remaining hostages believed to be buried under the ruins of Gaza.
The group’s latest statement follows a coordinated humanitarian operation involving Turkey’s specialized rescue teams, who have been dispatched to Gaza to assist in locating the remains of 19 Israeli hostages thought to be trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Under the Gaza truce deal spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump, Hamas previously returned 20 surviving hostages and the bodies of nine confirmed deceased captives. Israel, in turn, released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and agreed to suspend its military operations in Gaza, which had raged since Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023.
Israel Warns of Renewed Military Action if Hamas Fails to Comply
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed on Thursday that his government remains committed to ensuring “the safe return of every hostage,” while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that military operations could resume if Hamas fails to meet its obligations under the truce.
In response, Hamas insisted it remains “fully committed” to implementing the ceasefire agreement, though it noted that recovering all bodies would require more time. “Some of these corpses were buried in tunnels destroyed by the occupation, while others remain under the rubble of bombed buildings,” Hamas stated.
Turkey Steps In to Assist Search Efforts in Gaza
As part of the international coordination efforts, Turkey has deployed dozens of disaster-relief experts to help locate and recover the remains of hostages and missing Palestinians. The deployment follows a direct appeal from Hamas to assist in excavation operations across Gaza’s most devastated districts.
Despite the ongoing recovery efforts, families of Israeli hostages have expressed frustration and demanded that Israel halt any further stages of the truce until Hamas fulfills its full obligations.
Trump Calls for Patience Amid Rising Tensions
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who personally oversaw the ceasefire’s negotiation, urged patience, acknowledging that Hamas is “actively searching” for the missing hostages’ remains. However, he later voiced frustration over Hamas’s post-war conduct.
“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not part of the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and eliminate them,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referencing reports of internal violence within Gaza.
Gaza Struggles Under the Weight of Humanitarian Collapse
Since the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, Gaza has experienced growing lawlessness, with Hamas cracking down on alleged collaborators and internal clashes erupting between its own security units and rival Palestinian factions.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains catastrophic. The United Nations declared famine in August, and the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of uncontrolled outbreaks of infectious diseases. Only 13 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially functional.
“Whether it’s meningitis, diarrhoea, or respiratory illnesses, we’re dealing with an overwhelming health crisis,” said Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Families of Released Hostages Celebrate Reunion
Despite the challenges, families of the surviving hostages have expressed profound relief after two years of uncertainty. “My children are finally home,” said Sylvia Cunio, mother of Ariel and David Cunio, both freed under the U.S.-brokered truce.
Israel also handed over 30 Palestinian bodies to Gaza authorities on Thursday. Under the truce terms, Israel must return 15 Palestinian bodies for every Israeli corpse handed over by Hamas.
Post-War Gaza: Rebuilding Amid Ruins
Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza’s reconstruction envisions the disarmament of Hamas, amnesty for leaders who surrender arms, and a transition toward a new governance framework supported by international agencies. It also calls for renewed humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing, which Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said could reopen soon.
However, Israel clarified that the crossing would initially reopen only for people, not for aid, creating further tension among relief organizations.
For the residents of Gaza, the road to recovery appears long and uncertain. “There’s no clean water, no food, no essentials of life,” said Mustafa Mahram, a resident of Gaza City. “All that’s left is rubble.”
Devastating Human Cost of the Gaza War
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 67,967 people have been killed since the conflict began, a figure considered credible by the United Nations. Over half of the victims are women and children.
The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,221 people, mostly civilians, marking one of the bloodiest days in Israel’s history.
As both sides cautiously observe the ceasefire, the world watches whether the fragile peace can hold — or if the cycle of war, destruction, and loss will resume once more.
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