Israel and Hamas Trade Accusations Amid Ceasefire Dispute Over Hostage Bodies and Rafah Crossing

Israel announced preparations to reopen Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt, allowing limited movement of Palestinians, though no date has been set. The decision comes as tensions rise between Israel and Hamas over compliance with a U.S.-mediated ceasefire.

The truce faces setbacks due to a dispute involving the return of hostages’ bodies. Israel claims Hamas has yet to hand over 19 bodies, while the group insists recovery efforts are hindered by rubble and destroyed tunnels. Hamas said some remains are buried under debris from Israeli bombings, requiring heavy machinery to retrieve.

A senior Hamas official accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, alleging at least 24 Palestinians were killed since Friday. Israel denied breaking the truce, saying its troops acted against perceived threats. Local authorities reported additional deaths in Khan Younis and across Gaza, while residents described continued air activity and sporadic gunfire.

Israel’s 20-point plan, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, outlines disarming Hamas and transitioning Gaza’s governance. Hamas, however, refuses to relinquish control, instead reinforcing authority through internal crackdowns. Trump warned that continued Hamas violence could trigger U.S.-backed action, though he ruled out direct American military involvement.

Meanwhile, humanitarian needs are escalating. Israel’s COGAT agency confirmed ongoing coordination with Egypt for Rafah’s reopening but emphasized that only Kerem Shalom would handle aid deliveries under the truce. U.N. officials warned that thousands of trucks are needed weekly to address famine-like conditions in Gaza, where medical services have collapsed and most of the 2.2 million residents remain displaced.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, nearly 68,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.