Overview

• Hamas released all 20 living hostages and transferred 4 bodies, short of the 28 agreed for return under the first phase of the peace plan.
• Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Katz labeled the limited handover a violation of the agreement and warned that responses could follow.
• Roughly 24 bodies are believed to remain in Gaza, and locating them has been complicated by extensive damage from recent fighting.
• The Oct. 13 deadline set in the Phase 1 deal required the release of hostages, with reports indicating some remains may take longer to recover.
• Media report that a multinational task team may begin searches in Gaza, while Japan publicly welcomed the ceasefire framework and pledged continued coordination.