Hamas Returns Remains of Two Hostages to Israel Amid Ceasefire Tensions

Palestinian militants from Hamas have handed over the remains of two deceased Israeli hostages, Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper, to the Red Cross in Gaza, which were then transferred to Israeli authorities for identification, signaling ongoing, albeit fragile, progress in the ceasefire agreement mediated by former President Donald Trump. Since the ceasefire began in October 2023, Hamas has returned the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 still reportedly held in Gaza, while Israel has returned 195 Palestinian bodies to Gaza. The ceasefire has been strained by recent Israeli strikes in Gaza, which injured at least 40 people and were justified by Israel as responses to attacks on its soldiers, with Hamas denying ceasefire violations. Controversy arose when Israel accused Hamas of staging the recovery of a hostage's remains, a claim Hamas denied, and the Red Cross condemned the manipulation. Qatar's prime minister acknowledged Hamas's ceasefire violations but also criticized Israel for prisoner mistreatment, reflecting regional complexities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza during a visit to a U.S. military coordination center, underscoring the tense but ongoing diplomatic and military developments in the region.