DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the subsequent stages of the fragile Gaza ceasefire. Concurrently, Israel returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians, continuing an exchange that has become central to the ceasefire negotiations. This latest handover brings the total number of remains returned to 315, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, though only 91 of those have been identified due to a lack of DNA testing kits in the region.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which went into effect on October 10, is nearing its conclusion. The next steps include establishing a governing body for Gaza and deploying an international stabilization force, though there are uncertainties regarding the status of these plans. Israel had previously ended a ceasefire agreement earlier this year after a series of exchanges between hostages and Palestinian prisoners, failing to reach an accord on troop withdrawals and future governance.
Amid these developments, the Israeli military released a review on the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that ignited the ongoing conflict. The review cited intelligence and operational shortcomings, criticizing how officials failed to recognize Hamas's preparedness for the assault. The military's report focused solely on the army's performance, while Prime Minister Netanyahu has dismissed calls for a comprehensive commission of inquiry into governmental decision-making, asserting that such a review should only occur post-conflict.
As part of the body exchange, for each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians. The ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire; the Gaza Health Ministry reported that since the beginning of the ceasefire, 69,176 Palestinians have died, with more than half identified as women and children. U.N. humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, noted that over 1 million Palestinians have received aid since the ceasefire began, although he emphasized that many obstacles persist in delivering aid effectively.
Furthermore, Kushner is reportedly involved in negotiations aimed at facilitating the safe passage of 150-200 trapped Hamas militants in exchange for their surrender of weapons. However, Hamas has not commented on these potential exchanges nor acknowledged ongoing clashes between its members and Israeli forces in contested territories.
In a separate situation, residents of Umm al-Khair, a West Bank village, are preparing for the demolition of 14 structures by Israeli military bulldozers, a move they describe as state-backed violence. The demolition orders, claiming illegal construction, threaten vital community centers and family homes, further complicating life for the displaced and vulnerable Bedouin population that has resided in the area since the 1950s.
These developments underscore the fragility of the current ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, highlighting the complex interplay of military, political, and social issues that continue to affect the lives of countless individuals in both Gaza and Israel.
