Hamas transferred four additional coffins containing the remains of Israeli hostages to the Red Cross on Tuesday, marking a fragile step forward in ceasefire negotiations even as U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace proposal faces mounting skepticism. The handover followed Israel’s decision to halve humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, citing Hamas’ alleged violations of last week’s truce agreement.
Israeli military officials confirmed the receipt of the remains, which are undergoing forensic identification. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated the group remains committed to “implementing agreed-upon terms,” though tensions persist over unmet demands for disarmament and Israel’s delayed plans to open border crossings for aid and evacuations.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Gaza’s humanitarian situation remains dire, with over 500,000 Palestinians facing famine-like conditions. The UN estimates 600 aid trucks daily are needed to address shortages, but Israel has restricted deliveries to half the agreed volume. Plans to open the southern Rafah crossing to Egypt for medical evacuations remain stalled.
Trump’s Plan Faces Headwinds
President Trump’s peace initiative, touted as a “historic dawn” during his Knesset speech, has encountered resistance. His threat to “disarm Hamas by force” if necessary contrasts with the group’s refusal to surrender weapons or cede control of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that disarmament remains non-negotiable.
Analysts Voice Skepticism
Li Zixin of the China Institute of International Studies noted mutual distrust between Israel and Hamas, particularly over security guarantees and Gaza’s governance. “Without credible multilateral oversight, lasting peace remains elusive,” he told China Media Group. Meanwhile, Shibley Telhami of the Brookings Institution warned the ceasefire risks becoming a “temporary prisoner exchange” rather than a pathway to stability.
As negotiations enter a critical phase, the fate of 19 missing hostages and Gaza’s reconstruction hangs in the balance.
