Hostage releases by Hamas have slowed in recent days, and 13 hostages who were murdered in captivity remain in the terror group’s hands. Israel, the United States, and Turkey are pressuring Hamas to adhere to the ceasefire plan they agreed to and release the remaining hostages. Ynet reports that Israeli authorities are expecting the return of two more hostages sometime tonight.
“They are playing games and dragging out the ceasefire without entering the second phase in which they must disarm,” said the [Israeli] official.
According to the source, Israel is “knocking on the table” over the issue of the fallen. Washington “understands us,” the official added, noting that among the dead are two U.S. citizens: Capt. Omer Neutra and Staff Sgt Itay Chen.
The latest repatriation of bodies occurred overnight between Thursday, when the remains of Arie Zalmanowicz and Tamir Adar were returned. Before the ceasefire agreement, 28 bodies of hostages were held in Gaza; Israeli officials say that number is now 13. They assert that Hamas’ staggered releases amount to contract violations and maintain that the terror group could have handed over more at this stage.
The Red Cross, Egypt, and Turkey are assisting with efforts to locate and return the remaining hostages. The return of these two hostages tonight would bring the remaining number to 11. Israel can’t fully move on from the two years of war in Gaza until its people are returned. Join us in prayer that this effort comes to fruition and the next phase of the peace deal can be entered.