JERUSALEM, Dec 3: Hamas announced it would return the remains of a hostage as Israel said it would allow Palestinians to exit Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, signaling that the US-brokered ceasefire is largely holding.
Only two hostages—Israeli Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak—remain in Gaza. Earlier, partial remains returned by militants did not match the remaining hostages, prompting continued searches.
The ceasefire allows Rafah, closed since May 2024, to open for medical evacuations and travel. The World Health Organization reports more than 16,500 sick or wounded Palestinians require treatment outside Gaza.
Israel said the crossing would be for exits only, subject to security approval, while Egypt insisted it would operate both ways. The US described the opening as aiding the most vulnerable.
The 20-point ceasefire plan includes forming a technocratic Palestinian government, disarming Hamas, and deploying an international stabilization force. Since early October, 20 hostages and 26 sets of remains have been returned to Israel, with 330 Palestinian bodies released in exchange for hostages.
Identification remains limited due to scarce DNA testing. Both sides accuse each other of violating ceasefire terms.
Hostilities continue despite the truce: a Palestinian man was killed in Gaza’s “safe zone.” Gaza Health Ministry reports over 360 deaths since October 11 and more than 70,100 fatalities since the war began, many women and children.
Israel also sent an envoy to Lebanon for diplomatic talks as Lebanon appoints a civilian to the ceasefire monitoring committee. (AP)
