Gaza latest: Hamas says it has returned bodies of all Israeli hostages

The Gaza Health Ministry earlier said it had received 45 more bodies of Palestinians from Israel, marking another step in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

This brings the total number of bodies brought to Gaza for burial to 90.

The forensic team that examined the remains said they showed signs of abuse.

As Donald Trump heralded a “new dawn” for the Middle East at his Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Facebook reminded me that exactly 11 years ago today, I too was in the Egyptian resort city to cover another Gaza peace summit, following another bloody war between Hamas and Israel.

The 2014 Gaza summit in Sharm was also packed with world leaders discussing who would pay the bill. It also focused on “the day after”. And this, strangely, included Tony Blair.

At the time, the former British Prime Minister was deftly avoiding my questions in favor of waxing lyrical about Abdel Fattah el-Sisi – the former military chief who recently became Egypt’s president – ​​who continues to mediate and host events today.

More than a decade later, Blair himself is back, this time at Trump’s behest, to lead the so-called “peace board” overseeing Gaza’s governance.

The same powerful people are talking similar vague talks and making similar empty promises – only now the situation is even more urgent and serious, and the violence is unprecedented.

Once again, everyone is speaking in almost completely contradictory terms about a present that does not reflect reality and a magical future that, given the vast issues that need to be addressed (and have not been), seems impossible to reach.

Israel’s military aid agency Kogat said on Thursday that preparations are underway to open the key Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt for the movement of people.

Israel had earlier warned it could keep Rafah closed and reduce aid to the Palestinian territories because Hamas is returning the bodies of dead hostages too slowly, underscoring the risks of a ceasefire that would end a devastating two-year war and release all surviving hostages held by Hamas.

The Rafah crossing will remain closed for humanitarian aid.

Kogat, the branch of the Israeli military that oversees aid flows into the Gaza Strip, said humanitarian aid continues to enter the territory through the Kerem Shalom crossing and other crossings with Israel.

“It should be stressed that humanitarian aid will not pass through the Rafah crossing. This was not agreed at any level,” COGAT said in a statement sent by the UN. reuters,

Two sources told Reuters on Wednesday that the Rafah crossing was expected to open to the public on Thursday.

Humanitarian aid is still entering the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing in the southern corner of Gaza, as well as other crossings.

This is according to Kogat, the Israeli military agency responsible for coordinating the country’s activity in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Kogat did not say how many trucks had passed through the crossing, as Israel had announced it would halve the number of trucks allowed into Gaza from Wednesday to 300.

Violence erupts at a pro-Palestinian protest in Barcelona, ​​with clashes continuing into the night on Wednesday (15 October).

About 1,000 protesters marched to the Israeli Consulate in the Spanish city to condemn Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip.

The Spanish government has openly criticized the Israeli military’s actions, a stance that has received strong public support.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel “will not compromise” and demanded that Hamas meet the requirements set out in the ceasefire agreement regarding the return of hostages’ bodies.

In an interview with CNN, Donald Trump warned that Israel could resume war if it believed Hamas was not upholding its end of the agreement.

Trump said, “As soon as I say the word, Israel will be back on those streets.”

Hamas’s armed wing said in a statement on Wednesday that the group respected the terms of the ceasefire and handed over the remains of hostages to which it had access.

According to two senior US advisers, Hamas has assured the US through mediators that it is working to return the dead hostages.

The adviser, who was not authorized to comment publicly and briefed journalists on condition of anonymity, said he did not believe Hamas had violated the agreement.

As the ceasefire expires after just one day, it looks like the region will remain trapped in a dystopian, ever-more-violent Groundhog Day, writes Chief International Correspondent Bell True.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he has instructed the army to prepare a “comprehensive plan” to defeat Hamas in the event of a resumption of war in Gaza.

According to Mr Katz’s office, the minister instructed “to prepare a plan for the complete defeat of Hamas in Gaza if it refuses to implement it”. [US] chairman [Donald] Trump’s plan, and it has become necessary to resume the fight”.

“Under Trump’s plan, Hamas must return, and disarm, all fallen hostages in its possession, while Israel, together with the US-led international force, will act to destroy all tunnels and terror infrastructure in Gaza to ensure that Gaza is demilitarized. [and does not pose] Any threat to the State of Israel,” a statement from his office read.

“If Hamas refuses to implement the agreement, Israel, in coordination with the US, will return to the fight and act to achieve the complete defeat of Hamas, change the reality in Gaza, and achieve all the objectives of the war.”