Nearly a week after the ceasefire in Gaza took effect, the anticipated obstacles to a lasting resolution are beginning to surface, creating significant tension regarding the implementation of the next phase of the plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump held a discussion this evening (Thursday) focused on the future steps concerning Gaza.
Despite the release of all living captives by Hamas, the fate of 19 Israeli bodies still held in Gaza remains a major point of contention. Cairo officials acknowledge that the path to Phase Two is fraught with difficulties, ranging from the issue of the deceased captives to the crucial question of demilitarization and the potential deployment of an international force.
Although Hamas fulfilled the obligation torelease the living captives, it has yet to return the bodies of 19 deceased Israelis. The terror organization claims that some of the bodies have not been located due to the extensive destruction and difficult ground conditions in the Gaza Strip.
Egyptian Information Service head, Diaa Rashwan, commented on the difficulties, stating: "I foresaw that the first phase itself would encounter ambiguity and problems. According to the agreement, Israel was supposed to return 15 bodies of Palestinians for every Israeli captive. That is a total of about 450 bodies. In practice, only five bodies were handed over." (Read More)
