Hamas returned four bodies last night after agreeing to do so after pressure from Israel for not following the agreed-upon parameters of the peace deal which called for the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza. One of these ways of exerting pressure was closing the Rafah Border into Gaza. With three new deceased hostages received and one identified as a Palestinian, The Jerusalem Post reports that the crossing has been reopened.
Humanitarian aid resumes entering at the crossing at normal levels. However, aid was still being sent into Gaza through other crossings while the Rafah Crossing was closed. The three returned bodies have been identified as Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi. The fourth body was never a hostage of the terror group. Whether there will be a response to this by the Israeli government remains to be seen.
The dispute over the return of bodies still has the potential to upset the ceasefire deal along with other major issues that are yet to be resolved.
Later phases of the truce call for Hamas to disarm and cede power, which it has so far refused to do. It has launched a security crackdown, parading its power in Gaza through public executions and clashes with local clans.
Longer-term elements of the ceasefire plan, including how Gaza will be governed, the make-up of an international force to take over there and moves towards the creation of a Palestinian state have yet to emerge.
Twenty-one bodies of hostages remain in Gaza. An international task force is meant to find them.
While The Fellowship and its generous supporters praise God for the freed hostages on Monday who were able to rejoin their families in Israel, we continue to pray ceaselessly for the families of those that were murdered in captivity that they may find closure and peace with their loved ones finally being returned.
