Israel restricts aid in Gaza.
Gaza: Hamas has handed over the bodies of four more Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bringing the total number of deceased captives released to eight. Israel has responded by limiting humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing delays in the return of all deceased hostages.
The transfer comes amid heightened tensions, with Israel conditioning the entry of aid trucks and the opening of the Rafah Crossing on the full return of the 28 hostages it says died in captivity. Only half of the agreed number of aid trucks are being allowed into the enclave, and the Rafah Crossing remains closed. Some 20 bodies of Israeli hostages are still believed to be in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Tuesday that the identification process for the latest four bodies was ongoing. The four deceased hostages released earlier this week were identified as Daniel Peretz, 22; Yossi Sharabi, 53; Guy Illouz, 26; and Bipin Joshi, 23, a Nepalese national.
On Monday, Hamas also released 20 living hostages as part of a broader agreement brokered by international mediators. In a parallel gesture, Israel returned the remains of 45 deceased Palestinians previously held in Israeli custody, the Red Cross confirmed.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong statement from Washington, warning Hamas to disarm immediately. “If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them, and it will happen quickly and perhaps violently,” he said.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, now in its twelfth month, has resulted in at least 67,913 Palestinian deaths and 170,134 injuries, according to the latest figures from health authorities in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in the territory continues to deteriorate, with the restriction of aid worsening the crisis.
Efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and the return of all captives—both living and deceased—remain ongoing, though progress appears fragile amid continued hostilities and mutual distrust.
