Hamas returned four bodies of dead hostages to Israel on Tuesday after Israel threatened to cut humanitarian aid deliveries by half. This is just days after the ceasefire agreement was to conclude the exchange between the two and their hostages and prisoners.
Israel threatened to admit only half the usual number of aid trucks into Gaza beginning Wednesday. The nation also intends to keep the southern border crossing to Egypt shut at least until Wednesday. The Israeli authorities made this decision since, according to them, Hamas failed to deliver on its commitment to transfer all the remains as agreed upon under last week’s ceasefire deal. The transfer took place late Tuesday evening when the Red Cross met with Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip to pick up the four coffins.
Trump tells Hamas to Surrender Weapons or risk Being Attacked
President Donald Trump only worsened things on Tuesday by threatening to bomb Hamas with military action if the group relinquishes all its weaponry. Speaking at the White House, Trump stated, “If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently.” This is the day after Trump addressed the parliament of Israel, the Knesset, in Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been telling it all along that the war can’t stop until Hamas relinquishes its guns and quits governing Gaza. Hamas has declined to do so. On Monday, Trump termed it the “historic dawn of a new Middle East” when Israel and Hamas exchanged the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages for almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees. But getting back the 28 bodies has turned into a major sticking point in the deal.
Hamas Takes Back Control of Gaza Streets
Hamas militants are once again patrolling the streets of Gaza after Israel redeployed its troops last week. People living in Gaza report seeing Hamas members everywhere nowadays, particularly on the roads along which aid convoys must pass. The group, which seized Gaza during a brief civil war in 2007, is rapidly moving to demonstrate to everyone that they’re in control once more.
Late Monday night, a video captured Hamas militants dragging seven men into a Gaza City square. The men were tied behind their backs. Hamas pushed them to their knees and executed them while people watched from surrounding shops. A Hamas source verified the video was authentic and said they executed the men for collaborating with Israel. Palestinian security sources report that dozens have been slain in clashes among Hamas combatants and other groups in recent days.
News At Glance
- Hamas handed over four bodies of hostages to Israel on Tuesday night
- Israel will slash humanitarian aid trucks by half beginning Wednesday
- The Egypt border crossing to the south remains shut at least until Wednesday
- Trump vowed to disarm Hamas forcefully if it fails to turn in weapons
- Hamas fighters are once again in control of the Gaza streets following the Israeli troop withdrawal
- At least 19 dead hostages and one missing individual are still in Gaza
- Video appears to show Hamas shooting seven people they claimed were assisting Israel
- Gaza requires 600 aid trucks on a daily basis during the ceasefire, but receives half
- More than 67,000 killed in Gaza over the past two years of warfare
- 250 corpses have been nearthed since the ceasefire began last week
FAQs
- Why did Hamas bring back the bodies now?
Israel threatened to reduce by half the deliveries of humanitarian aid if Hamas failed to deliver the hostage remains as they had promised.
- How many hostages remain in Gaza?
There are at least 19 dead hostages and one missing person still in Gaza after this turnover.
- What did Trump state about Hamas?
He threatened to disarm Hamas soon, and perhaps violently, if they fail to lay down their arms willingly.
- Is Hamas again in charge of Gaza?
Yes, Hamas militants are openly patrolling the streets and have killed people they suspect of cooperating with Israel.
- Will aid trucks continue to arrive in Gaza?
Israel is going to limit half the agreed number of aid trucks starting Wednesday as punishment for the delayed transfer.
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