Hostage families demand halt to Gaza truce

Families of Israeli hostages are calling for a temporary halt to the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire plan, demanding that Hamas first return the bodies of all deceased captives.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum made the appeal on Monday, stressing that the militant group still holds the remains of 13 hostages.

“Hamas knows exactly where every one of the deceased hostages is held. Two weeks have passed since the deadline set in the agreement for the return of all 48 hostages, yet 13 remain in Hamas captivity,” the group said.

The families urged the Israeli government, the US administration, and mediators involved in the ceasefire to suspend any further negotiations until Hamas fully complies with its obligations under the deal.

The ceasefire, brokered by the United States along with Qatar and Egypt, came into effect on October 10, ending months of warfare that began when Hamas launched a surprise cross-border attack in October 2023, killing more than 1,200 people in Israel. Hamas also took 251 people hostage in the assault.

Israel’s retaliation devastated Gaza, killing at least 68,000 people, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry, which the United Nations considers credible.

As part of the US-led ceasefire agreement, Hamas has released its remaining 20 living hostages and the remains of 15 others who were confirmed dead by Israel.

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However, the group says its efforts to locate and return the bodies of 13 additional captives have been hindered by widespread destruction in Gaza.

Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya explained that “the occupation has altered the terrain,” making recovery operations difficult, and noted that some of those who buried the bodies had since been killed or displaced.

To aid in the search, Egypt has deployed recovery crews and heavy machinery into Gaza with Israel’s consent.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s administration is working to organize an international peacekeeping force made up of troops from Arab and Muslim nations to oversee the truce.

The United States military has also set up a coordination centre in southern Israel to supervise reconstruction and humanitarian aid distribution.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel maintains control over about half of Gaza’s territory and continues to restrict the movement of aid through the Rafah crossing.

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