Israel Halves Aid, Reduces Trucks, Gaza Ceasefire Strained/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel is halving humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing Hamas’ delay in returning the remains of deceased hostages as a violation of the fragile ceasefire agreement. The move raises concerns over the durability of the truce brokered by President Trump. Tensions mount as both sides face challenges recovering bodies amid widespread destruction.
Gaza Ceasefire Tested: Quick Looks
- Israel reduces aid trucks to Gaza over hostage body delays
- Only 4 of 28 deceased hostages returned so far
- Israel calls it a ceasefire violation; Hamas blames war damage
- Hostage families express outrage, demand faster returns
- Trump-brokered truce required full return of hostages (alive/dead)
- Aid cut communicated to U.S. and international groups
- Red Cross cites logistical challenges in body recovery
- Freed hostages face medical trauma, extreme weight loss
- Palestinian detainees report abuse in Israeli prisons
- Gaza reconstruction may require $70 billion over decades
Deep Look: Israel Cuts Gaza Aid, Citing Ceasefire Violation Over Hostage Remains
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is under renewed strain, as Israel announced Tuesday it will halve the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza. The move comes amid growing frustration over Hamas’ slow return of the remains of Israeli hostages who died in captivity.
According to three sources who spoke with the Associated Press, Israeli officials informed U.S. counterparts and international aid agencies of the decision, though the government has yet to issue a public statement. The response is tied to what Israel sees as a “violation” of the ceasefire agreement, as only four of the 28 deceased hostages have been returned, far short of expectations.
Rising Tensions After Brief Relief
Just a day earlier, Israelis celebrated the release of the final 20 living hostages, while Palestinians rejoiced as around 2,000 prisoners and detainees were freed in the first phase of the Trump-brokered truce. But relief turned to dismay when the families of deceased hostages learned only four bodies had been returned.
The Hostages Family Forum, a prominent advocacy group, called the delay a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire deal. Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostage affairs, told families that pressure was being applied to Hamas through international channels to expedite the return process.
“We are holding Hamas accountable through every available diplomatic lever,” read a message obtained by the AP and confirmed by Israeli officials.
Inside the Ceasefire Terms
The agreement, introduced by President Donald Trump, mandated that all hostages — living and deceased — be returned within 72 hours of the truce’s acceptance. While it included flexibility for unforeseen delays, it required Hamas to provide information and make “maximum effort” to comply.
Hamas, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), claims that the scale of destruction in Gaza has made the recovery of remains exceptionally difficult. The ICRC says that ongoing instability, collapsed infrastructure, and safety concerns are delaying efforts to locate and transport bodies.
Heartbreak for Families of Hostages
On Tuesday, the Israeli military identified two of the four deceased hostages returned this week:
- Guy Illouz, an Israeli abducted from a music festival on Oct. 7, 2023
- Bipin Joshi, a Nepalese student captured from a bomb shelter
Illouz reportedly died from injuries after being denied medical care, while Joshi was murdered in captivity within the first months of the war.
For those returning alive, the path to recovery is steep. Some, like Eitan Horn, have lost over 40% of their body weight, according to his sister-in-law. Others are just beginning to process the trauma of captivity.
“He’s learning now about friends who were murdered and what the country endured,” said Horn. “It’s overwhelming.”
Palestinian Prisoners Released, Many Seek Medical Help
While Israeli hostages reenter society with physical and emotional scars, many Palestinian detainees released in the exchange also report signs of abuse.
At the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, doctors said several former prisoners exhibited injuries consistent with beatings. Some described years without adequate medical treatment. One former inmate, Kamal Abu Shanab, said he suffered a shoulder tear and received no pain relief for months.
Israel’s Prison Service denied the allegations, stating that all prisoners are treated according to legal standards and granted access to medical care.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Nasser Hospital said it received the bodies of 45 Palestinians transferred by the Red Cross — the first batch of what is expected to total 450 remains from Israeli custody.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms Larger
The aid reduction comes amid an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Most of the infrastructure lies in ruins, and basic services like water, electricity, and medical care remain scarce. Displaced residents, like Mohamad Abu Hajras, say they are desperate for the ceasefire to hold and for international support to begin rebuilding their lives.
“There is no infrastructure, no electricity, no water — nothing fit for life,” said Hajras.
On Tuesday, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) announced that rebuilding Gaza could cost as much as $70 billion, with $20 billion needed within the next three years. The estimate was developed in collaboration with the European Union and World Bank.
Who Will Rebuild Gaza?
Political uncertainty clouds the future of Gaza. Egyptian officials say 15 Palestinian technocrats — agreed upon by Israel, Hamas, and other factions — will lead interim governance efforts. But the long-term questions of disarmament, reconstruction, and Palestinian statehood remain unresolved.
Standing beside foreign leaders at a summit in Egypt, President Trump called the ceasefire “the beginning of peace” and urged global powers to assist in Gaza’s reconstruction.
“The first steps to peace are always the hardest,” Trump said.
Still, the latest Israeli move to cut aid underscores just how tenuous the truce remains — and how easily progress could unravel if trust between parties continues to erode.
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