Jerusalem links access to return of Israeli hostage remains
Israel has refused to allow a Turkish rescue mission to enter the Gaza Strip until Hamas returns all the bodies of Israeli hostages it still holds, an Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post.
The decision comes despite Ankara announcing on Thursday that it had begun deploying a team of experts to help recover bodies buried under the rubble.
The Turkish team consists of 81 rescuers equipped with heavy machinery who had requested access to Gaza as part of a humanitarian operation. Israel, however, made clear that permission would not be granted until Hamas hands over the remains of the hostages it can immediately locate.
“Hamas knows where most of them are”
According to the same source, “there is a group of bodies that Hamas can return immediately,” without help from the Turkish mission to Gaza, and “another group whose locations it knows but requires equipment and assistance to retrieve.” Some of the remains, the source added, are “buried deep underground or near unexploded ordnance, making recovery operations dangerous.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Hamas was in “fundamental violation” of the hostage exchange agreement.
“We know for certain that Hamas can immediately release a significant number of hostages under the deal. What it is doing now is a clear breach of its commitments,” he said.
Netanyahu convenes security council
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened Israel’s Security Council on Thursday night to assess Hamas’s position and determine next steps under the so-called “Trump Plan” for Gaza.
“I know exactly how many fallen soldiers Hamas is holding. If they do not hand them over, Israel knows how to act accordingly,” Netanyahu warned, according to government sources.
Following the meeting, Netanyahu spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump to discuss delays in the return of the bodies and possible pressure on mediators to ensure compliance.
Diplomatic activity continues
Diplomatic sources said the United States, European states and several Arab countries are continuing talks on the next phase of the American plan, despite Israel’s stance that “no discussion” will take place before all hostages are returned.
According to two reliable sources, senior officials from the US, Europe and the Arab world are expected to meet in Egypt in the coming days to discuss implementation of the plan.
Also read: Turkey sends teams to search for hostage remains in Gaza
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