Hamas claims it is fulfilling its obligations under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, while accusing Israel of violating the deal by refusing to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt (an essential route for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations). The exchange of remains has continued under the truce: Hamas returned the bodies of two Israeli captives, bringing the total to 15. The group says further returns are delayed due to destruction and ongoing Israeli military control over parts of Gaza.
Under the same agreement, Israel has released around 2,000 living Palestinian detainees and committed to returning the remains of hundreds more Palestinians. However, reports indicate that some bodies returned to Gaza show signs of mistreatment, raising serious concerns about human rights violations. Palestinian analysts argue that Palestinians held in Israeli prisons should also be considered “hostages,” pointing to widespread detention without due process under military occupation.
Hamas leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire during talks in Qatar but accused Israel of obstructing it by closing Rafah and blocking aid to Gaza’s suffering population. They emphasized Palestinians’ rights to self-determination and statehood with Jerusalem as their capital. Turkey, a key regional actor, is involved as a signatory to the ceasefire framework brokered with U.S. mediation.
Despite international legal rulings, including an order from the International Court of Justice to reopen the Rafah crossing, Israel has kept it closed since May 2024. The United Nations has described the crossing as critical for humanitarian access. Although there was temporary limited access earlier in 2025 during the ceasefire, the crossing remains shut, leaving Gaza heavily reliant on a single entry point for aid, far below what is needed to address the humanitarian crisis.
Reference:
Rowlands, L. (2025, October 22). Israel, Hamas return more bodies of captives under Gaza ceasefire deal. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/22/israel-hamas-return-more-bodies-of-captives-under-gaza-ceasefire-deal