Donald Trump’s peace deal between Hamas and Israel hangs in the balance as the deadline to return all the bodies of hostages has passed, with just nine of 28 brought back from Gaza. Hamas claims it needs more time and equipment to recover the remains of the deceased who were kidnapped during the October 7 terror attack on Israel orchestrated by the group in 2023.
A statement issued by Hamas said “the remaining bodies require significant efforts and specialised equipment to search for and retrieve, and we are making a great effort to close this file”. The deadline to return all the hostages, both living and dead, as part of the 20-point peace process passed on Monday.
Under the terms of President Trump’s deal, signed by representatives of Israel and Hamas in Egypt on October 9, all captives, alive and dead, should have been returned by Hamas within 72 hours of the first stage of the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza, which was completed on Friday, October 10.
So far, all 20 living hostages have been returned by Hamas, with the captives who endured 738 days in horrendous conditions welcomed home by jubilant loved ones and crowds lining the streets in towns and cities across Israel.
As part of the peace plan, Israel has returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. In exchange for the release of the living hostages, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees on Monday.
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has withdrawn to the so-called first ‘yellow line’, and still occupies around 53% of the territory. But Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz said the IDF had a “comprehensive plan” should the conflict reignite over Hamas failing to keep to the ceasefire.
President Trump warned Hamas to stick to the peace plan and return the dead hostages, telling reporters in the White House that Israel could return to Gaza’s streets “as soon as I say the word”.
Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire on Wednesday, according to Arab news sites, after they attempted to cross the withdrawal line.
For ordinary Gazans, there is still no way to leave the territory, as Israel has kept the southern Rafah crossing into Egypt closed. The border point is due to be opened as part of the peace plan to allow aid into the enclave and to allow people inside to leave to seek medical aid. However, Israel has warned the crossing could remain shut if all the hostages are not returned.
The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) said hundreds more aid trucks were needed for the people of Gaza.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in the UK told the Daily Express: “The Embassy of Israel in the UK is deeply concerned that Hamas has not fulfilled its obligation to return all of the hostages – as agreed under President Trump’s 20-point plan. This plan, which Hamas accepted, makes clear that the return of every hostage is a fundamental condition of the framework.
“We welcome pressure on Hamas from governments around the world to fulfil this. The people of Israel are overjoyed at the return of the 20 living hostages but we will not rest until all of them are home.”