Overview

• Israeli forensic tests found that one of four bodies handed over Tuesday does not match any hostage, bringing confirmed returns to roughly seven of 28 deceased.
• Israel has kept the Rafah crossing shut and is scaling back assistance, with UN officials told convoy targets would be delayed or reduced and most fuel barred.
• Hamas stated it has now returned all the remains it can recover without specialized machinery and says further retrievals require heavy equipment and broader searches.
• The UN and ICRC warn that locating bodies is extremely difficult given Gaza’s vast destruction and an estimated 50 million tonnes of debris, alongside a lack of recovery gear.
• Hamas forces are reasserting control in Gaza with clashes against rival factions and public executions, while President Donald Trump warned Israel could resume combat if the truce is broken.