Overview
- The Red Cross transferred to Israel remains believed to be those of Hadar Goldin, the IDF officer killed in 2014, with forensic identification under way and Israeli officials calling it the first reported recovery in Rafah since the Oct. 10 cease-fire.
- Hamas told mediators it is prepared to withdraw fighters from the Israel-controlled yellow zone, while the group continues to allege cease-fire violations and reports 241 deaths during the pause.
- A senior Turkish official said Ankara facilitated Goldin’s return and is now working to secure safe passage for about 200 Gazan civilians trapped in tunnel networks around Rafah.
- Implementation of the cease-fire’s second phase remains on hold as negotiators seek verified returns of the last four hostage bodies in Gaza and workable guarantees for exits from tunnel enclaves.
- Reciprocal remains exchanges continue under a reported 15-for-1 formula, with Gaza authorities saying roughly 300 Palestinian bodies have been returned and only 89 identified due to limited DNA capacity.