Netanyahu accuses Hamas of ‘clear violation’ of ceasefire as far-right ministers call for resumption of war
Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of a “clear violation” of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire, saying the militant group had returned body parts of a hostage whose remains Israeli troops had recovered two years before.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, which took effect on 10 October, Hamas is required to return the remains of all Israeli hostages as soon as possible. In exchange, Israel has agreed to hand over 15 Palestinian bodies for each Israeli. Hamas has yet to return 13 bodies.
On Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross accompanied members of Hamas inside areas of Gaza under the control of the Israeli military to facilitate the search for the bodies, after Donald Trump on Saturday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to return the remains of the dead Israeli hostages ‘‘quickly, or the other countries involved in this great peace will take action”.
In the evening, Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam brigades, said it had returned the body of an Israeli captive, with the Israeli government later confirming it had received it from the Red Cross.
