Teams from Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have received permission from Israeli authorities to search for the bodies of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. This access extends beyond the “yellow line,” which denotes areas controlled by Israeli forces in Gaza.
As part of the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire deal, Hamas has handed over 15 out of 28 deceased Israeli hostages and is coordinating with Egyptian authorities regarding the transfer. The situation has drawn the attention of former President Donald Trump, who urged Hamas to expedite the return of the bodies, warning of potential actions from other countries involved in the peace negotiations.
An Israeli spokesperson confirmed that the Egyptian team, working in conjunction with the ICRC, will utilize excavators and trucks to locate the remains. The “yellow line” serves as a boundary that Israel retreated to during the ceasefire process. Previously, Israel had not allowed such search teams into Gaza, making their entry significant.
The ICRC has been instrumental in facilitating the return of hostages, as Hamas does not directly transfer captives to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) but instead to the ICRC for transfer. Meanwhile, Hamas faces challenges in recovering bodies buried under debris from extensive Israeli bombardments in Gaza, which have devastated much of the area.
Israeli officials believe that Hamas is aware of the locations of the bodies, with one spokesperson suggesting they could be retrieved if more effort were made. Trump indicated he would closely monitor developments regarding the return of the hostages’ remains.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will control which foreign forces participate in a proposed international stabilization effort in Gaza. Discussions around this involve several countries, but Israel has been clear about its security needs and concerns. As of now, the conflict, which began with the October attacks, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, raising ongoing questions about resolution and accountability.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2l0mjkjkvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss