The fragile truce in the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas persisted on Tuesday, following the recent celebrations surrounding the return of the final 20 living captives from Gaza to Israel and the release of numerous Palestinian detainees. Key unresolved issues include the repatriation of the 28 presumed deceased captives in Gaza by Hamas and the well-being of the freed captives and prisoners.
Israel received only four remains of the deceased captives as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Among them were Guy Illouz from Israel and Bipin Joshi from Nepal, both in their twenties when abducted by Hamas militants during the triggering incident of the war in 2023.
According to Israeli authorities, Illouz succumbed to injuries due to inadequate medical care, while Joshi was reportedly killed in captivity in the early stages of the conflict. The final cause of Joshi’s demise will be determined by the National Center of Forensic Medicine.
Reports from fellow captives in December 2023 indicated certainty of Illouz’s death, while the fate of Joshi, a college student studying agriculture in Israel, was unknown until the commencement of the ceasefire.
The freed Israeli captives received medical attention on Tuesday, with some families anticipating delays before their return home. Concurrently, several released prisoners in the West Bank and Gaza were admitted to hospitals.
As part of the accord, Israel agreed to retreat in Gaza to the previous demarcation line before the offensive on Gaza City. Long-term concerns persist regarding Hamas disarmament, governance and reconstruction of Gaza, and the pivotal issue of Palestinian statehood.
During a summit in Egypt, Trump emphasized the arduous initial steps toward peace and praised the ceasefire deal as the commencement of Gaza’s rehabilitation. The extensive reconstruction of Gaza is estimated to require $70 billion, with an urgent need for $20 billion in the next three years.
Trump urged regional cooperation and unity among leaders to secure lasting peace in Gaza. Representatives from Israel and Hamas were absent from the summit. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan vowed to rally support from Gulf, U.S., and European nations for Gaza’s reconstruction under the new ceasefire agreement, highlighting Ankara’s crucial role in the recent developments.
Erdogan stressed the importance of recognizing the Palestinian state as a step towards a viable two-state solution, underscoring the need for vigilance given Israel’s history of ceasefire violations.