In the Latest News from the Middle East, Israel and Hamas have exchanged more bodies of captives under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal, but tensions remain high. The Palestinian group, Hamas, has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the agreement by refusing to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt — a crucial lifeline for aid and injured civilians.
According to official sources, the bodies of two more Israeli captives — Aryeh Zalmanovich (85) and Master Sergeant Tamir Adar (38) — were returned to Israel on Tuesday night. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed that the handover took place in Gaza under the supervision of Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, its armed wing.
Details of the Exchange
- The Israeli military said that Zalmanovich, an elderly civilian, died in Gaza on November 17, 2023, while in captivity.
- Adar, a soldier, was killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel, and his body was later taken to Gaza.
- With this, Hamas has now returned the remains of 15 Israeli captives under the truce arrangement.
- Another 13 sets of remains are expected to be delivered soon, though Hamas said ongoing Israeli military operations and the destruction across Gaza have made body recoveries difficult.
Earlier in the ceasefire, Hamas had also released 20 living captives in a single day, marking one of the largest humanitarian releases in months.
Bodies Returned to Gaza
On Tuesday, Israel handed back 15 Palestinian bodies that were killed while in Israeli detention. The bodies were taken to Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza for identification. As part of the same deal, Israel has already freed 2,000 Palestinian detainees and has pledged to return the remains of 360 deceased Palestinians.
A forensics team that received 45 Palestinian bodies last week reported that several were still shackled, showing signs of abuse and possible execution.
Ubai Al-Aboudi, director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, said Palestinians held in Israeli prisons should also be seen as “hostages.”
“This entire system dehumanises Palestinians,” Al-Aboudi said. “Many are detained without charge or trial — under military orders — by a foreign occupation.”
He added that nearly 20% of Palestinians have been imprisoned at some point, and that the situation in Israeli jails has worsened since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
Rafah Crossing Remains Closed
The Rafah border crossing — Gaza’s only gateway to Egypt — has become a major point of dispute. Hamas officials, during talks in Qatar with Turkish diplomats, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement by keeping Rafah shut.
“Israel is delaying the truce by blocking the movement of the sick and wounded, and stopping humanitarian aid,” Hamas’s Mujahid Muhammad Darwish said in a statement.
Turkey, one of the supporters of the ceasefire plan brokered by US President Donald Trump in Sharm el-Sheikh, has urged both sides to uphold the deal.
The United Nations has called Rafah one of Gaza’s key “humanitarian arteries.” The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to reopen the crossing on May 24, 2024, following a case brought by South Africa. However, despite the ruling, Israel has kept it closed, offering only limited aid access through the nearby Karem Abu Salem crossing.
Humanitarian Crisis Continues
- The Rafah crossing was captured by Israeli forces on May 7, 2024, during their offensive in southern Gaza.
- Nearly one million Palestinians had been sheltering there before being forced to evacuate.
- Residents briefly returned after a temporary ceasefire in January 2025, but by March, new evacuation orders forced them to leave again.
- Since May 2024, humanitarian aid has not been able to enter Gaza through Rafah, deepening the crisis for displaced families.
A Fragile Peace Amid Ongoing Suffering
Despite the ceasefire, both sides continue to trade accusations of violations. Human rights groups warn that Gaza’s humanitarian situation is worsening each day due to shortages of food, medicine, and shelter.
The Breaking News from the region highlights that while the return of bodies is a small step toward healing, the Daily news highlights show that the core issues — border closures, detentions, and displacement — remain unresolved.
As global attention remains fixed on Gaza, pressure is growing on both Israel and Hamas to honour the truce and allow aid to reach those who need it most.
