After a weekend marked by exchange of fire between the IDF and Hamas that threatened the ongoing peace agreement, the ceasefire and release of remaining hostages in Gaza will continue. The Times of Israel reports that the IDF has confirmed that aid deliveries can also resume, as Hamas announced it will hand over the body of a former hostage this evening.
The terror group freed the remaining living hostages last Monday but has not returned those they murdered in captivity, saying that they can’t find them. However, Israel claims that the group is lying and is intentionally holding bodies and slowing the return efforts. As of now, 16 deceased hostages remain in Gaza.
Two Israeli soldiers — Maj. Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz –were killed and three others were wounded when Palestinian terror operatives launched an attack on troops in the Rafah area on Sunday morning. The IDF blamed Hamas for the attack, and launched a wave of intense strikes against the terror group in response.
On Sunday night, however, the military announced that, “in accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and after a series of significant strikes, the IDF has begun renewed enforcement of the ceasefire following its violation by the Hamas terror organization.”
It stressed that Israel would “continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond forcefully to any violation.”
The Times of Israel is still counting the days that Israel has been at war since October 7, 2023. This is because the war can’t truly end until everyone who was taken that day is returned home. We, along with our generous supporters, continue to pray that this ceasefire holds and the remaining bodies return home so full healing, and restoration can finally begin.
