Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Oct 22: Israel’s military confirmed that Hamas has handed over the remains of two more hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, the remains of 13 hostages have been returned to Israel, while another 13 still need to be recovered.
During his visit to Israel on Tuesday, US Vice President JD Vance urged “a little bit of patience” amid growing Israeli frustration with the pace of hostage returns. “Some of these hostages are buried under thousands of pounds of rubble. Some of the hostages, nobody even knows where they are,” he said.
Israel is releasing 15 Palestinian bodies for each dead hostage, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It said that Israel has so far transferred 165 bodies since earlier this month.
Vance and other envoys expressed optimism over the fragile ceasefire agreement, saying progress was better than anticipated. “The ceasefire is going better than I expected,” Vance said, noting that both sides were transitioning from two years of intense warfare to a peacetime phase.
Vance, who arrived in Israel for his first visit as Vice President, is expected to remain in the region until Thursday and meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. He said he was confident that the current peace would last but warned that Hamas would be “obliterated” if it failed to cooperate.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu dismissed his national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, without citing any reason. Israeli media reported that Hanegbi had previously opposed the renewal of Israel’s Gaza offensive and the failed attempt to assassinate Hamas leaders in Qatar.
Vance emphasized that while some 200 US troops were sent to Israel recently, they would not enter Gaza. He said discussions were underway on forming an international security force for the territory, mentioning Turkey and Indonesia as possible participants.
Humanitarian aid is gradually increasing under the ceasefire. The World Food Program said it has sent more than 530 trucks into Gaza in the past 10 days, providing food for nearly half a million people for two weeks, though still below pre-war levels.
Prices of essential goods have fluctuated sharply amid tensions. A 25-kg sack of flour, which sold for $12 shortly after the ceasefire, rose to $70 on Sunday before dropping to around $30 by Tuesday. Hamas security forces have raided shops accused of price gouging, forcing several to close.
Residents continue to face financial hardships, with most banks and ATMs inoperable. Many depend on cash brokers who charge high commissions. “Without having the bank open and without money, it does not matter that the prices have dropped,” said Kamilia Al-Ajez, a resident of Deir al-Balah.
A senior Gaza health official claimed that some of the Palestinian bodies returned by Israel bore signs of torture and called for a UN investigation. The Israel Prisons Service denied the allegation, saying it provides adequate medical care and living conditions for detainees.
The Israel-Hamas war, which began with Hamas’ deadly assault in 2023 that killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken, has since claimed more than 68,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry’s figures, though disputed by Israel, are widely regarded as credible by UN agencies and independent observers.