Aid trucks have begun to enter the Gaza Strip, and preparations are underway to reopen the Rafah crossing, as tensions surrounding the return of deceased hostages remain. This development comes as Israel indicated it might keep the crossing closed due to a perceived delay in the return of bodies by Hamas. Despite these threats, the militant group resumed the return of Israeli bodies, prompting Israeli officials to move forward with plans to open Rafah for humanitarian aid and civilian movement.
On Wednesday, Israeli authorities confirmed that 600 aid trucks would be allowed to enter Gaza, with the first shipments already crossing from the Egyptian border. Footage from Reuters showed trucks moving into the Rafah crossing at dawn, some transporting fuel and essential supplies. The opening of Rafah for people is expected on October 26, 2023, although it remains unclear whether restrictions will be placed on the movement of individuals.
Dispute Over Hostage Remains Threatens Ceasefire
The ongoing dispute over the return of hostages’ bodies poses a risk to the fragile ceasefire that has halted nearly two years of conflict in Gaza. As of now, 21 bodies of hostages are still reported to be in the region, with difficulties anticipated in their recovery due to extensive destruction from the conflict. An international task force has been established to assist in locating these remains.
Hamas has returned a total of eight bodies confirmed as deceased hostages in recent days. However, Israeli authorities have disputed the identification of at least one body, complicating the situation further. The ceasefire agreement stipulates that Israel must return the bodies of 360 Palestinians as part of the deal, with the first group of 45 bodies handed over on Tuesday, according to Palestinian health officials.
Additionally, Israel’s next phase in the truce involves demands for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control, which has yet to be accepted by the group. Amid these tensions, Hamas has intensified its security measures within Gaza, leading to public executions of individuals accused of collaborating with Israel. Reports indicate that several Palestinian factions, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, have supported Hamas’s actions against local clans deemed as “hubs of crime.”
International Response and Aid Efforts
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to evolve, with aid deliveries being facilitated through various crossings, including the Kerem Shalom Crossing. The World Food Programme announced that its trucks began entering Gaza on Wednesday for the first time in two days, signaling a potential improvement in the flow of humanitarian assistance. Spokeswoman Abeer Etefa noted that while access had improved, the situation remains unpredictable.
Israeli officials indicated that Wednesday’s aid deliveries would include food, medical supplies, fuel, cooking gas, and equipment necessary for infrastructure repairs. The Palestinian Authority, which governs the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is preparing to manage the Rafah crossing, although many Palestinians awaiting medical treatment report they have not received notifications to travel.
In a broader context, the U.S. military’s Middle East command has called on Hamas to cease violence and disarm promptly. Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas condemned the recent public executions, highlighting the complex and volatile nature of the current situation in Gaza.
As efforts to stabilize the region continue, the international community remains focused on the long-term governance of Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state, issues that have yet to be addressed in the ongoing ceasefire discussions.
