Tel Aviv claims it has permitted members of the Palestinian armed group Hamas to enter IDF occupied areas of Gaza as the group expands its search for the remains of missing Israeli hostages lost under the rubble during Israel’s indiscriminate bombing campaign.
The move marks an unusual form of cooperation between the two sides, facilitated through mediators, as part of the ongoing ceasefire deal implemented earlier this month.
Israeli Channel 12, citing unnamed security officials, reported that Hamas operatives have been working alongside international teams for the past 24 hours to search for hostages’ bodies in parts of the enclave still occupied by the Israeli army beyond what is referred to as the “yellow line.”
This imaginary demarcation divides zones where Israeli troops have pulled back their military presence amid the US-led Gaza peace deal.
The search effort is being coordinated with the Red Cross and Egyptian task teams, according to reports from Israeli media outlets.
The development follows confirmation by Israeli authorities that they had permitted Red Cross and Egyptian rescue teams to cross the line to assist in the mission.
An Israeli government spokesperson reportedly said, “Israel will maintain overall security control over the Gaza Strip, signalling that the Israeli army will continue to oversee security operations even after the current phase of fighting.”
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This position underscores Israel’s insistence that no entity other than its forces will manage Gaza’s security affairs in the foreseeable future a point which is heavily disputed by Hamas, who have claimed that their disarmament depends on whether the need for resistance against Israel remains or not.
Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on 10 October, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages along with the bodies of 16 others.
The remains of 12 hostages are still believed to be within the enclave, prompting the ongoing joint effort to locate them. The deal, brokered through mediation by regional partners, also involved the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
In a statement over the weekend, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said that his group intended to enter additional areas of Gaza to continue its search for the remains of Israeli captives.
His comments suggested that Hamas views the recovery of the bodies as both a humanitarian and political obligation under the current truce terms.
The ongoing ceasefire plan outlines several stages beyond the exchange of captives. It envisions the rebuilding of Gaza, which has faced catastrophic levels of destruction, and the formation of a new administrative structure for the territory, one that excludes Hamas.
The discussions about this framework are expected to be contentious, with key international actors debating who will assume responsibility for Gaza’s governance once hostilities officially cease.
Despite the temporary truce, tensions remain high on the ground. Israel has stated that its forces will maintain operational readiness across Gaza and intervene if necessary.
Humanitarian groups say the situation in Gaza remains dire, with aid deliveries struggling to meet the needs of the population.
The Red Cross and Egyptian teams participating in the search operation have also been providing limited humanitarian assistance as part of their coordination with both sides.
According to figures from Palestinian authorities, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 68,000 people and injured over 170,000 others since October 2023. Thousands remain missing under the rubble, and the humanitarian situation continues to worsen despite international appeals for a lasting ceasefire.
It remains unclear whether this fragile peace deal can survive much longer as Palestinians continue to die and humanitarian aid remains illusive.
Israel’s reckless bombing campaign contributed heavily towards the enormous death toll which is largely made up of civilians. Israeli hostages were also killed by Israel inside Gaza during the two year conflict.
Now it appears apparent that several bodies were lost during the chaos, it remains unclear if the bodies of some remaining Israelis can ever be found due to the immense scale of the destruction Israel caused in Gaza.
