Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed that the Gaza conflict will not come to an end until Hamas is fully disarmed and the territory is completely demilitarized. His statement comes amid a fragile truce that has been brokered with international involvement, but continues to face significant challenges.
Under the U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement, Hamas released 20 living hostages and handed over the remains of 10 others. In return, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returned 135 bodies to their families. Despite these exchanges, Netanyahu has made it clear that lasting peace is tied directly to Hamas surrendering its weapons.
Tensions have further escalated around the Rafah crossing, which remains closed. Netanyahu has linked its reopening to Hamas fulfilling all obligations concerning the return of hostage remains. Over the weekend, Hamas delivered the remains of two additional hostages to the Red Cross, but insisted the closure delays further handovers because specialized recovery equipment is not allowed into Gaza.
The United States has warned that it holds credible reports of Hamas planning potential attacks against civilians, calling such actions a "grave violation" of the ceasefire. This has added pressure to an already fragile truce that many observers fear could collapse.
Meanwhile, violence continues on the ground. Gaza's civil defense reported that Israeli shelling killed nine members of the Shaaban family, including women and children. Israel defended its actions, claiming it targeted a vehicle that was approaching a restricted zone. The humanitarian toll continues to rise, deepening the suffering of civilians.
Adding to the urgency, the United Nations' humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, described northern Gaza as a "wasteland." He outlined a 60-day plan to provide food, tents, health services, and temporary schools for displaced families. However, with both sides entrenched, prospects for stability remain uncertain.
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