Overview
- Forensic authorities verified the identity of Hadar Goldin after Hamas handed over his body more than 11 years after his death, with four additional bodies still pending under the truce framework.
- Since the Oct. 10 ceasefire took effect, Hamas has released 20 living hostages and returned 23 of 28 bodies, according to the latest tallies cited by negotiators.
- Roughly 150 Hamas fighters are reported in tunnels under Rafah and Khan Yunis, and the group’s military wing declared that surrender or handover to Israel is not an option.
- The United States is pressing for a solution that would allow the fighters to leave after disarming, with Egypt proposing weapons handover and tunnel intelligence in exchange for safe passage, while Israel denies any such deal and vows to destroy the tunnels.
- The unresolved standoff has delayed the transition to a reconstruction phase as humanitarian deliveries remain far below targets and the U.S.-run CMCC in Kiryat Gat assumes a larger role in coordinating aid entry.