On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faced its latest test as Israel confirmed the return of three more hostages’ bodies from Gaza, while aid trucks began to cross into the war-battered enclave through the Rafah border. The developments came after days of tense negotiations and mounting international pressure, highlighting the complex interplay of humanitarian, political, and security concerns that continue to define the postwar landscape in Gaza.
According to the BBC, Israeli hostage families confirmed the identities of Tamir Nimrodi, 20, Eitan Levy, 53, and Uriel Baruch, 35, as three of the four bodies handed over by Hamas on Tuesday. The fourth body, Israeli authorities said, did not match any of the known hostages. This brings the total number of confirmed returned hostage bodies to seven. The Hostages Families Forum, which has advocated tirelessly for the return of all captives and remains, expressed both relief and frustration at the slow pace of the process.
The delay in the return of all 28 remaining hostages’ bodies, originally expected to be completed by Monday, October 13, has provoked anger in Israel. The government responded by threatening to restrict humanitarian aid to Gaza until all bodies are returned, and by initially keeping the crucial Rafah crossing with Egypt closed. As reported by Reuters, 600 trucks laden with food, fuel, and medical supplies had amassed at the border, awaiting clearance.
On Wednesday morning, aid trucks were finally seen moving from the Egyptian side into the Rafah crossing, carrying desperately needed supplies for Gaza’s beleaguered population. "Humanitarian aid continues to enter the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing and other crossings after Israeli security inspection," an Israeli security official told Reuters. The day’s deliveries included food, medical supplies, fuel, cooking gas, and equipment to repair vital infrastructure, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan.
The opening of Rafah for Palestinian citizens was also underway, though as of Wednesday, Gazans awaiting medical evacuation had not yet received notification from the World Health Organisation to prepare for travel. There was cautious optimism that the crossing would open more fully on Thursday, following diplomatic pressure from Egypt and the anticipated deployment of the EU Border Assistance Mission as a neutral third-party presence.
The return of the bodies is part of a broader ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, which both Israel and Hamas accepted. The plan, as described by the BBC and Reuters, called for the handover of all 48 hostages—living and deceased—by noon on Monday, October 13. While all 20 living hostages were released on schedule, the return of the deceased has lagged. Hamas claims difficulty in locating some remains due to the devastation wrought by two years of war, a point tacitly acknowledged in the published ceasefire agreement, which allows for an international task force to help locate missing bodies.
Speaking on X, Trump underscored the urgency: "A big burden has been lifted, but the job is NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase two begins right NOW!!!"
For many Palestinians, the delays have stoked fears that the ceasefire could unravel. Tayseer Abed, a writer chronicling the war from a tent in Khan Younis, warned the BBC that the standoff over the corpses could "become the fuse that ignites a new round of conflict" if not resolved swiftly.
The ceasefire, which came into effect at noon on October 10, has so far largely held, but not without incidents. Palestinian Civil Defence told the BBC that seven people were killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday in two separate incidents in Gaza, including an Israeli drone strike in Shejaiya. The Israeli military said it fired after people crossed a designated "yellow line," part of the new security arrangements under the ceasefire plan.
Meanwhile, Hamas has launched a sweeping security crackdown in Gaza, reportedly executing eight Palestinians in public and clashing with local clans and gangs. While Hamas claims these actions are necessary to restore order and eliminate lawlessness, many residents fear the group is using the opportunity to settle scores and silence dissent. Several Palestinian factions, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, have backed Hamas’ campaign, describing some targeted clans as "hubs of crime." Trump has endorsed Hamas’ initial efforts to restore order but warned that it must ultimately disarm or face renewed airstrikes.
The longer-term elements of the ceasefire deal remain highly contentious. As outlined by CBS and Reuters, the plan envisions Gaza being governed temporarily by a committee of Palestinian technocrats, overseen by a "Board of Peace," before eventual transfer of power to the Palestinian Authority—provided it undergoes reforms. However, major hurdles persist, including the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal, Hamas’ disarmament, and the future governance structure for Gaza. Hamas has so far refused to disarm unless a Palestinian state is established and has rejected foreign governance in Gaza.
On the humanitarian front, the war’s toll has been staggering. Gaza’s Health Ministry, cited by Reuters, reported that nearly all inhabitants have been displaced, famine conditions are present, and health authorities are overwhelmed. At least 67,869 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli military campaign began in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which itself resulted in about 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken.
In a parallel gesture, Israel returned the remains of 45 Palestinians killed in battle to Gaza on Tuesday. Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed receipt of these bodies, with more expected. The deal ultimately requires Israel to return the bodies of 360 Palestinians, with identification efforts ongoing.
Personal stories have punctuated the national grief on both sides. Freed Israeli hostage Maxim Herkin told Channel 13 News that seeing footage of protests in Israel calling for the hostages’ release gave him hope: "We were shocked by what's happening in Israel; it made us feel that we're important, that no one is forgetting us, and that they're fighting for us." The family of Nepali national Bipin Joshi, who was killed in Hamas captivity, expressed their devastation and gratitude to the governments involved in his return, saying, "The ground has fallen beneath our feet; words cannot describe the void left within us."
As the ceasefire’s second phase looms, the world watches anxiously. The coming days will test whether the painstakingly brokered peace can hold amid the unresolved issues of justice, security, and mutual recognition. For now, the return of bodies and the trickle of aid offer a fragile hope in a region where every step forward seems shadowed by the possibility of renewed tragedy.
