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Ceasefire on the brink, US comes to Hamas's 'defense' over delays in troop return
2025-10-16 08:34:02 / BOTA
The US has downplayed claims that Hamas has violated the ceasefire agreement with Israel by not returning all the bodies of dead hostages.
So far, only nine of the 28 bodies of the slain hostages have been recovered, with Hamas claiming it needs time and specialized equipment to extract the remaining bodies from the rubble in Gaza. The two most recent bodies, returned on Wednesday, have been identified as Inbar Hayman and Sergeant Major Muhammad al-Atresh, the Israeli military (IDF) confirmed.
The dispute over the return of the troops has led Israel to limit promised humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, two senior advisers to former US President Donald Trump said the US does not see Hamas' failure to return all the troops as a breach of the agreement, arguing that the group acted "in good faith" by returning all the hostages alive.
A US official said it could take weeks to recover all the bodies, given the level of destruction in Gaza. The US is expected to offer rewards for civilians who provide information, while Turkish experts will join the search.
The IDF confirmed that Inbar Hayman, 27, was killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during the Nova festival. Her body was recovered by militants in Gaza. Sergeant Major al-Atresh, 39, was killed in action the same day.
“Hamas must fulfill its obligations under the agreement and return all hostages for a dignified burial,” the IDF statement said.
The Hostage Families Forum stated: “The families of the hostages and the released ones embrace the families of Inbar Hayman and Muhammad al-Atresh, who were finally returned for a dignified burial. We will not stop until the remaining 19 hostages are returned.”
Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas must return all 28 bodies of the hostages killed as part of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan. But Hamas's armed wing said the remaining bodies would require major efforts and specialized equipment to extract.
Israel, meanwhile, warns it will not compromise on the return of the hostages. The defense minister ordered the military to prepare a "full plan" to defeat Hamas if the deal fails.
Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called on Israel to open all border crossings for humanitarian aid under the agreement. He added that Hamas must make maximum efforts to return the bodies of the hostages.
The US-brokered deal called for the return of all 48 hostages by noon Monday – including 20 alive and 28 dead. So far, all live hostages and nine bodies have been returned. In exchange for each dead Israeli hostage, Israel has returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians – a total of 90 so far.
Meanwhile, insecurity reigns in Gaza. Food prices have risen sharply as residents stockpile supplies, fearing renewed fighting. Traders are speculating on goods to boost profits.
"Every time we feel a little safe, new threats appear. We no longer trust the ceasefire," says Neven Al-Mughrabi, a mother of six who lives in Khan Younis after losing her home in Gaza City.
She adds: “Despite a 30% price increase, people are buying everything – from flour, oil to sugar – because no one believes this calm will last.”
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