GAZA CITY: The Palestinian group Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the current ceasefire agreement with Israel and pledged to return the bodies of all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, though it warned that the process could take time due to extensive war damage.
In a statement reported by AFP, Hamas said it was working to locate and recover the corpses of Israeli captives who died during the months-long conflict. The group explained that the task had been complicated by the widespread destruction across Gaza, where many areas were reduced to rubble during Israeli air and ground offensives.
“The process of returning the corpses of Israeli prisoners may require some time, as some of these corpses were buried in tunnels destroyed by the occupation, while others remain under the rubble of buildings it bombed and demolished,” Hamas said.
The group added that it remains fully committed to implementing all aspects of the US-brokered ceasefire deal, which brought an end to intense fighting that had claimed thousands of lives and devastated the Gaza Strip.
Israel, however, has cautioned that the truce could collapse if Hamas fails to deliver on its promises. Defence Minister Israel Katz warned earlier this week that the Israeli military would resume operations “in coordination with the United States” if Hamas does not comply with the agreement or delays the return of hostages’ remains.
The exchange of bodies and the recovery of missing persons have emerged as key elements of the fragile ceasefire deal, with international mediators urging both sides to adhere strictly to its terms to prevent a renewal of hostilities.
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