Table of Contents
- Hostage Body Found by Hamas
- Threats to Ceasefire
- Fighting in Rafah
- Trump's Response
- Hamas Claims and Accusations
HAMAS announced that it has discovered another hostage's body, which it plans to release tonight, as the ceasefire in Gaza teeters on the brink.
Yesterday, they indicated they would hand over the body if “conditions on the ground allowed” – however, ultimately, no transfer occurred.
Hamas has stated it will return another body this eveningCredit: EPA
Scenes of family and supporters welcoming former Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot upon his return homeCredit: Reuters
Israeli tanks advance along the Israeli-Gaza borderCredit: AP
Hamas has committed to returning a body to Israel at 6 PM UK time – though it remains uncertain if this is the same one they reported finding yesterday.
If everything proceeds as planned, Hamas will have returned 13 of the 28 hostage bodies believed to be in Gaza when the ceasefire was established.
The group retains the rest of the bodies amidst the destruction in the Strip – and some Israelis argue that this violates the peace agreement.
Today, Trump warned he would “eradicate” Hamas if they did not “behave.”
He stated: “We have a minor situation, relatively speaking, with Hamas, that will be resolved very quickly if they do not rectify it themselves, as they are in violation of the agreement.
“They [Hamas] must comply, and if they fail to do so, they will be eradicated,” he added.
Meanwhile, the fragile ceasefire appeared close to collapse last night after both parties accused one another of serious violations.
Air strikes reportedly resulted in at least 45 Palestinian fatalities following a firefight in which two Israeli soldiers were killed by a Hamas rocket-propelled grenade.
Hamas leaders claimed they had lost contact with the fighters who launched the attack in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
However, additional fighting broke out early yesterday (Monday) after Israel alleged that two groups of terrorists crossed the “yellow line” where IDF troops had withdrawn in accordance with Donald Trump’s peace plan.
Trump's troubleshooters, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel yesterday to reinforce the truce, which seemed to be on the verge of disintegrating after just nine days.
US sources reported that Trump’s stern message to both sides was “get your act together.”
Trump’s vice president is also expected to arrive on Tuesday to further support the ceasefire amid warnings that it is currently on “life support.”
Fighting erupted in Rafah after a Hamas cell emerged from a tunnel in an area under IDF control and fired a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms at two IDF bulldozers.
The two soldiers who died in Rafah were identified as Major Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21.
Trump vowed to ‘eradicate’ Hamas if they do not cooperateCredit: AFP
Israel accused the October 7 group of “deliberately” violating the ceasefire and obstructing progress on phase one of Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
Hamas claimed that the attack might have been carried out by rebel units beyond its control and accused Israel of killing 97 Palestinians in 80 ceasefire violations since the truce began.
The US also issued warnings over the weekend regarding the situation for civilians in Gaza.
The State Department announced on Saturday that it had “credible reports” indicating that the terrorist group was planning a new assault against Palestinians, labeling it a “direct and grave violation” of the US-brokered ceasefire.
“If Hamas proceeds with this attack, measures will be implemented to protect the people of Gaza and uphold the integrity of the ceasefire,” the department stated.
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