Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Ceasefire Holds Under Strain as Dispute Over Hostage Remains Stalls Next Steps

Unreturned bodies plus missing international mechanisms now define a fragile pause.

Overview

  • All 20 living hostages were freed under the U.S.-brokered truce as Israel released more than 1,700 detainees and 250 prisoners, pausing large‑scale combat.
  • Hamas has returned nine of the 28 deceased hostages and mistakenly handed over one non-hostage body, drawing Israeli demands for full accountability as U.S. advisers say recovery requires specialized equipment.
  • Israeli officials threatened to curb relief and delay Rafah’s reopening, yet officials now say aid flows met the deal’s targets on Wednesday with more than 700 trucks entering Gaza, while the Rafah crossing remains closed and the Palestinian Authority says it is ready to operate its side.
  • Reports from Gaza describe Hamas reasserting control and internal bloodshed; Netanyahu says the struggle is not over, and President Trump warns Hamas to disarm or be disarmed after cautioning he could allow fighting to resume.
  • Phase-two measures remain unlaunched, with independent monitors, a Peace Board and an International Stabilization Force still absent, and negotiations to advance the plan on hold pending further returns of hostage remains.