Israelโ hasโ condemnedโข Hamas‘โ return of partialโ remains identified asโ belonging โฃto previously recovered hostages as aโ “clear violation” ofโฃ the ongoingโ peace deal, officials said February 29, 2024. The handover, โฃwhich included remains of Israelis who were declaredโค dead after being takenโ captive during the October โ7th attacks, โขhas prompted outrage and accusations โขof bad โfaith from Israeli โขnegotiators.
The growth complicates already fragile ceasefire talks andโค raisesโ concerns about the fate of other hostages still held in Gaza. Approximately โ130 hostages were initially seized by Hamas during the October โ7th incursion intoโค Israel, and while over 100โค have as been released, dozens remainโ unaccounted for-many โpresumed dead. The return of โpartial remains underscores theโข difficulties โคin securing the full recovery of those killed and the โchallenges in verifying Hamas’ claims regarding the location โof all hostage remains.
During negotiations for the release of hostages, Hamas representatives admitted they do not know the location ofโ all the remains of deceased โฃcaptives, according to โคreports in Israeliโข media.Hamas has stated it has “lost track” of some remains, a claim that has fueled skepticism among Israeli officials and familiesโค of the hostages.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza,โข wiht numerous buildings damaged โขor destroyed, according to satelliteโค data. Negotiationsโ for a lasting peace deal continue, but the return of partial remains โฃrepresents a significant โsetback and casts doubt on Hamas’ commitment to the terms of the agreement.
