The UN humanitarian chief has requested that Israel open additional crossings to Gaza to facilitate increased aid deliveries. This request follows Israel’s warning about limiting supplies due to delays from Hamas in returning the bodies of deceased hostages. Tom Fletcher emphasized the importance of both Israel and Hamas adhering to the ceasefire agreement established on October 10, 2023, urging that the progress made through this US-brokered deal should not be wasted.
Concerns are growing in Israel regarding the delayed return of hostages’ remains, complicating the humanitarian situation as the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza has remained largely closed. In Gaza, residents are stockpiling food in anticipation of further price increases, as the prospect of the ceasefire failing looms large. Although humanitarian aid has been entering Gaza since the ceasefire began, Israel threatened to restrict additional supplies if Hamas did not return the bodies of all 28 known deceased hostages by the agreed deadline. Hamas has stated that difficulties in locating the remains have hindered their efforts, with only seven bodies returned to Israel thus far.
Fletcher publicly urged Hamas to exert more effort in returning all remains and called on Israel to permit a significant influx of humanitarian aid to support the civilian population. The UN chief has also expressed serious concern regarding reported violence against civilians in Gaza, including incidents involving masked Hamas gunmen executing individuals in public.
Currently, mediators are attempting to resolve differences between Hamas and Israel to maintain the ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that one of the bodies returned by Hamas did not match any known hostages, while three others have been identified. The ongoing negotiations and conditions surrounding the release of hostages remain critical points in the broader humanitarian crisis.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c803rmdzjdjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss