Welcome back to our coverage of events in the Middle East. Yesterday, we reported on the pressure piling on Hamas to speed up its release of dead hostages, as well as the progress in talks to end the war in Gaza.
Only eight of the 28 deceased hostages in Gaza have been released by Hamas, prolonging anguish for many families. Israel expects Hamas to return more deceased hostages today, an Israeli source told CNN.
US President Donald Trump called for Hamas to return all dead hostages, which was part of phase one of the deal, saying “the job is not done.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross said the returns could take weeks, highlighting the challenges of finding remains under the rubble.
The slow pace of hostage releases has prompted Israel to limit the resumption of aid to Gaza.
The United Nations said that Israel confirmed that only 300 aid trucks – half the agreed number – would be allowed into Gaza today, and there would be no fuel or gas shipments, except for specific humanitarian needs.
And, according to Israeli officials, the security establishment has recommended that the political leadership not open the Rafah crossing and not transfer full humanitarian aid to Gaza until more of the bodies are returned.
Also yet to be resolved are many of the thorniest issues – including whether Hamas will lay down its arms, and who will govern Gaza.
Trump said “phase two” of the Gaza ceasefire deal had begun, but did not divulge who is mediating and what is being discussed. Negotiations on the next stages of the ceasefire deal are ongoing in Egypt, an Israeli source and a regional diplomat told CNN.
Trump warned that Hamas must disarm or “we will disarm them.”