Last-Minute Push for Hostage Release as Ceasefire Agreement Details Emerge
Gaza City – As the temporary ceasefire betweenโ Israel and Hamas nears its conclusion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed the returnโข of all remaining hostages, even as concerns mount over the โคfate of those already deceased. โคThe commitment comes amid details emerging about a joint task force established under the โceasefire agreement to locate the remains ofโฃ hostages killed in the October 7th attacks and prior conflicts.
Currently, 47โ hostages kidnapped during theโ October 7, 2023 attacks remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive. The remains of anotherโ hostage, Israel Defense Forces soldier Hadar Goldin, โขwho died in 2014, have not been recovered and remain in Gaza. CNN previously reported that โฃthe Israeli government has been aware โfor months that Hamas may not know the location, or be able to recover, the remains ofโค some of the 28 deceased hostages. This situation underscores the urgency of the ongoing negotiations and the critical role of the โขnewly formed task force.
Netanyahu stated he has kept his promise to the families of theโค 48 hostages, declaring, “We will not โฃsurrender โฃto anyone.” He further asserted,”And,in fact,all the hostages will returnโค to us. In the next โคfew days, God willing, we โขwill โbring them all.” He also pledged to bring the deceased hostages back to Israel for burial,stating,”We will โwork to locate them all as soon as possible,and we will fulfill this as a sacred duty of mutual duty.”
The ceasefire agreement stipulates the joint taskโค force willโ includeโ representatives from Israel, the United states, Egypt, Qatar and Tรผrkiye, working collaboratively to locate and repatriate the remains of those who โdied in captivity. The success of this โขtask force will beโค a key indicator of the long-term impact of the ceasefire and the possibility of a more lasting resolution to theโฃ conflict.