Despite ceasefire, Israel kills 2 in Gaza as body exchanges strain fragile peace
Both sides blame each other for delays in ceasefire terms as Gaza reels from devastation and shortages
GAZA, Palestine (MNTV) – Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued limited strikes in Gaza. Two Palestinians were killed in a recent air attack on Gaza City’s Shujayea neighborhood, according to staff at Al-Ahli Hospital.
The Health Ministry said 25 bodies and 35 wounded people arrived at Gaza’s hospitals in the past 24 hours, most retrieved from collapsed buildings.
Since the war began in October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed at least 67,938 Palestinians and wounded 170,169.
On Wednesday, Israel handed over 45 more Palestinian bodies through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bringing the total returned to 90.
Medical teams in Gaza said several of the bodies arrived blindfolded and handcuffed, showing what appeared to be signs of “field executions.” Doctors are documenting and preparing the remains for burial according to medical protocols.
In a parallel exchange, Hamas transferred four more Israeli bodies to the Red Cross, raising the number of deceased captives returned to eight.
Families have identified three, while the Israeli army claims the fourth does not match any registered prisoner.
Hamas rejected the assertion, saying the body belonged to a soldier killed during a resistance operation.
Israel has slowed the opening of the Rafah crossing and cut aid deliveries, allowing only half the agreed number of trucks into Gaza.
Officials in Tel Aviv say the delay is due to the slow return of captives’ remains.
But Hamas negotiators told media outlets that Israel’s continuing bombardments and widespread destruction are hampering search efforts for roughly 20 bodies still unaccounted for.
Across the enclave, destruction remains staggering.
The United Nations says nine in ten homes have been damaged or destroyed. UNICEF described Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood as “a skeleton of a city.”
Municipal officials report that Israeli forces have deliberately destroyed 56 central water wells, leaving less than 20 percent of daily water needs met.
Humanitarian agencies warn of worsening conditions. Handicap International said unexploded mines scattered across Gaza pose “enormous risks” to returning families and called for the entry of demining equipment.
As body exchanges falter and sporadic attacks continue, the fragile ceasefire risks unraveling, deepening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and leaving millions uncertain about when real calm—and rebuilding—might begin.
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