The fragile ceasefire in Gaza is already hanging by a thread, and the latest move by Israel could push it over the edge. Just days after celebrating the return of 20 living hostages and the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, Israel has thrown a wrench into the works by halving aid to the devastated territory and keeping the vital Rafah border crossing with Egypt closed. The reason? Israel accuses Hamas of violating the US-brokered agreement by not returning the remains of all Israeli hostages. But here's where it gets controversial: while Hamas has returned the remains of four hostages, they claim locating the other 24 is a complex task, as not all burial sites have been identified. Is Israel's decision to restrict aid and delay Rafah's opening a justified response, or is it a disproportionate move that risks derailing the fragile peace?
This dispute highlights the deep-rooted tensions and mistrust between the two sides, even as they attempt to implement the ill-defined 20-point plan proposed by Donald Trump. The plan, which called for a surge in aid and the return of all hostages – both alive and deceased – within 72 hours, is already facing significant challenges. And this is the part most people miss: the agreement included a mechanism for delays, requiring Hamas to share information about remaining deceased hostages and make every effort to fulfill their commitments. However, Israeli military officials, citing reports from Haaretz, believe Hamas is deliberately stalling the transfer of remains they already know the location of.
Trump himself has weighed in, urging Hamas to release the remaining bodies to enable the next phase of the plan. In a social media post, he declared, “A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED!” Yet, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has acknowledged the immense difficulty of recovering remains from the rubble-strewn territory, describing it as a “massive challenge.” Christian Cardon, an ICRC official, emphasized that searching for human remains is an even greater challenge than securing the release of living hostages.
Should Israel prioritize the return of all hostage remains before proceeding with the peace plan, or is restricting aid a step too far? This question divides opinions, with some, like Ela Haimi – whose husband was killed in the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak – supporting the aid squeeze. Haimi argues that Hamas isn’t doing enough and that Israel must use its leverage to pressure them. However, others worry that cutting aid will only exacerbate the suffering of Gaza’s civilians, who are already struggling to rebuild their lives.
Meanwhile, tensions on the ground continue to escalate. Sporadic violence erupted in Gaza following the celebrations, with Israeli forces opening fire on civilians in two separate incidents, reportedly killing six. Hamas, for its part, has been reasserting its authority, deploying armed fighters and targeting those opposed to its rule. A shocking video circulated on Monday showed Hamas fighters executing seven men in a public square, a stark reminder of the volatile situation.
Trump has given Hamas his blessing to temporarily reassert control, but Israeli officials insist any final settlement must include the permanent disarmament of Hamas. Is Trump’s approach pragmatic, or does it risk emboldening Hamas? The former president has warned that if Hamas doesn’t disarm voluntarily, they will be forced to do so – potentially through violent means.
The delay in opening Rafah has dismayed humanitarian officials, who report that only limited supplies have entered Gaza since the ceasefire. Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network, noted that the north of Gaza, in particular, desperately needs services, tents, water, and heavy equipment. “We cannot say there is a flood of aid,” he said. Meanwhile, a Gaza hospital received the bodies of 45 Palestinians returned by Israel as part of the agreement, which also requires Israel to provide information on Palestinians who died in its custody.
As efforts turn to establishing a transitional authority and multinational stabilization force in Gaza – both overseen by a “board of peace” chaired by Trump and possibly led by Tony Blair – the scale of the challenge becomes clearer. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that 15 Palestinian technocrats have been selected to administer Gaza, approved by all factions, including Hamas, and vetted by Israel. However, the reconstruction of Gaza is estimated to cost a staggering $70 billion, with $20 billion needed in the next three years alone. Jaco Cilliers, a UN representative, described the destruction as equivalent to 13 Giza pyramids in rubble.
As Gaza’s residents return to their ruined homes, the question remains: Can this fragile peace hold, or will the disputes over hostage remains and aid restrictions push the region back into conflict? What do you think? Is Israel’s response justified, or is it a dangerous escalation? And can Trump’s plan truly bring lasting peace to this war-torn region? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
