Gaza strip, Palestine – 15 October 2025
Fragile Ceasefire Holds After Hamas Delivers More Hostage Remains; International Community Urges Sustained Access to Famine-Stricken Territory.
The crucial flow of humanitarian aid into the devastated Gaza Strip is set to be dramatically scaled up today, after a precarious dispute over the return of deceased Israeli hostages’ remains threatened to derail the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. Following the handover of additional bodies by Hamas to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Israel reportedly pulled back from its threat to halve aid deliveries and will proceed with the planned reopening of the vital Rafah border crossing.
The decision by the Israeli “political echelon” to proceed with full aid access comes after Hamas delivered the remains of four more hostages late on Tuesday. This latest transfer brings the total number of bodies handed over since the truce took effect to eight. The delay in the transfer of all deceased captives—as stipulated in the first phase of the agreement—had prompted Israel to announce on Tuesday that it would reduce the daily aid quota from the agreed benchmark of 600 trucks to only 300, and delay the reopening of the Rafah crossing.
Dispute Over Deceased Captives Tests the Truce
The controversy emerged as the ceasefire entered its first week, designed to facilitate the release of all remaining hostages (living and dead) and prisoners, while simultaneously scaling up desperately needed humanitarian supplies into Gaza, where the UN has already declared parts of the territory to be in famine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had insisted that full compliance with the return of all bodies was non-negotiable, stating, “We will not compromise on this and will not stop our efforts until we return the last deceased hostage.” The pressure was amplified by the Hostages Family Forum, which had voiced anger over the initial slow pace of the recovery operation in the heavily damaged territory.
Crucially, as aid trucks began moving this morning, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Israel had rescinded the limitations. Plans are now in place to allow the full complement of approximately 600 trucks carrying food, medical supplies, fuel, and vital infrastructure repair equipment to enter the Strip today, primarily through the Kerem Shalom and other operational crossings, while preparations are finalised for the full opening of the Rafah crossing.
Focus Shifts to Full Rafah Reopening and Long-Term Stability
While the immediate crisis over aid has been averted, the incident underscores the extreme fragility of the US-led peace framework. The ability of the two sides to work through complex, emotionally charged issues—such as the recovery of the remaining 20 bodies—will be key to sustaining the truce and moving toward the agreement’s more ambitious later phases.
Humanitarian officials in Gaza City were quick to stress that even the full delivery of 600 trucks per day—a significant ramp-up from previous months—is merely “a drop in the ocean” compared to the sheer scale of the needs on the ground. Hundreds of thousands of residents remain without clean water and essential supplies.
The European Union has announced it will restart a civilian mission to monitor the Rafah border crossing, aiming to provide a layer of stability and international oversight for the entry point that is also expected to begin allowing civilians, including Palestinians who had previously left the territory, to pass through in both directions.
Headline Points
Aid Resumes Full Scale:
Israel reportedly reverses threat to halve aid, allowing an estimated 600 humanitarian trucks to enter Gaza following a new handover of deceased hostages’ remains.
Rafah Crossing Status:
The crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt is now set to proceed with its planned full reopening for aid and civilian movement, after being temporarily kept closed.
Dispute Resolved:
The crisis was sparked by Hamas’s initial delay in returning all bodies of deceased captives, a requirement of the US-brokered ceasefire’s first phase.
Hostage Identification:
Forensic teams in Israel have confirmed the identities of three of the four recently returned bodies, with work continuing on the fourth.
International Monitor:
The European Union is preparing to restart its civilian mission to monitor the re-opened Rafah crossing, a key step toward humanitarian normalcy.
