Israel and Hamas have entered a different stage of war. This increased violence comes soon after the historic and transformative handover of bodies of deceased persons between the two sides. Late Saturday night, Hamas transferred two bodies to the Red Cross, which it was said to be deceased hostages. The Israeli army has said that so far they have managed to identify one killed hostage. His name is David Cunio and he was kidnapped in the October 7 assault on kibbutz Nir Oz. Cunio was greeted by a hero’s welcome back home to Yavne.
The Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza has officially received the bodies of 15 dead Palestinian prisoners. These prisoners’ release was brokered by Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross. This increase is more than just a seasonal bump — it marks a bigger trend. Thus far, 150 corpses have entered Gaza. That grim reality highlights just how tenuous the ceasefire between the two sides remains.
These tensions ratcheted even higher when Israeli forces bombed Rafah in southern Gaza and Jabalia in northern Gaza. Israel’s military blamed Hamas militants for carrying out dozens of anti-tank missile attacks on its soldiers outside of the military’s established buffer zone. In turn, these military actions were launched. The evidence compiled by Human Rights Watch shows these reported attacks consisted of unlawful rocket-propelled grenade attacks and sniper fire targeting Israeli troops.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not allow the Rafah crossing to open. He highlighted the fact that this closure will not be lifted until Hamas returns all the hostages’ bodies. Retweet Netanyahu’s statement that these sort of airstrikes aren’t a violation against civilians, minutes before the airstrikes on Rafah began on Sunday morning. He articulated his view that the extraordinary circumstances called for bold action.
On the Israeli side, it was Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, who pressured Netanyahu to dive back into military operations in Gaza “with maximum force.” To this effect, he voiced doubt about Hamas’s sincerity in regards to the ceasefire. He noted that history has proven that any delusions regarding their compliance with such accords can only deceive and endanger Israeli security.
“I call on the prime minister to order the IDF to fully resume combat in the Gaza Strip with maximum force.” – Itamar Ben-Gvir
Hamas responded to Israel’s military actions and accusations, asserting its commitment to the ceasefire agreement while accusing Israel of fabricating excuses for its strikes. The militant group said Israel had “grossly violated” the terms of the ceasefire. They claim that’s what was previously agreed upon.
“Netanyahu’s attempts to evade and disavow his commitments come under pressure from his extremist terrorist coalition, in a bid to escape his responsibilities before the mediators and guarantors.” – Hamas
The Palestinian health ministry said several bodies show signs of torture. This shocking discovery deeply concerns me about the treatment of people in jail. Recipients of this declaration would be the medical critics’ trigger—symbolizing a rising humanitarian complaint amidst escalated incident.
This is made more difficult by the highly emotional narrative out there focussing on hostages and civilian deaths on both sides. Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural laborer, was murdered in the Hamas attack on October 7. The return of his body only adds to the tragedy that continues to play out in this otherwise senseless conflict. His remains were similarly returned to Israel by Hamas in this most recent exchange.
“The false illusions that Hamas will change its ways, or even adhere to the agreement it signed, are proving, as expected, to be dangerous to our security.” – Itamar Ben-Gvir
Against the backdrop of these unexpected changes, Netanyahu reiterated the importance of fortitude in the face of real and present dangers presented by Hamas. He particularly stressed that we must never forget the horror and tragedy of October 7. While doing that, he doubled down on Israel’s absolute monopoly on national security.
“At the end of two consecutive years of fighting, we remember how we began. We rose from the terrible disaster of 7 October.” – Benjamin Netanyahu
As extremism rises and as more bombs drop, Hamas and Israel only dig deeper into their trenches. It is the current back-and-forth of bodies that brings this to attention. They further underscore the tremendous human toll this drawn-out war has caused.