Overview: US assessment of Hamas and the ceasefire commitments
The United States says it does not believe Hamas is violating its ceasefire commitments by failing to produce the remains of all deceased hostages held in Gaza. Two senior US advisers told reporters that Washington is actively working through mediators to locate and retrieve the remaining bodies, with a focus on intelligence sharing and logistical support. The 72-hour deadline outlined in the ceasefire framework remains a challenging target, especially after two years of conflict and the extensive rubble scattered across the territory.
In what appears to be a cautious stance, the advisers stressed that assurances from Hamas come through third-party mediators, and that all parties are exploring every possible avenue to recover the missing remains. Regional actors, including Turkey, have offered expertise and teams to assist in body recovery, reflecting a broader regional effort to resolve one of the war’s most painful legacies.
What the ceasefire actually demands
The ceasefire agreement set out a mechanism to locate and return both living hostages and the bodies of deceased captives. While Israel and Hamas had anticipated rapid progress within the initial 72 hours, in reality only a fraction of the remaining 28 deceased hostages had been recovered as the crisis evolved. The situation underscores the practical difficulties of extraction amid post-conflict rubble, heavy contamination, and ongoing security concerns in Gaza.
US strategy and possible incentives
According to the advisers, the United States is considering incentives to accelerate body retrieval, including monetary rewards for information leading to recoveries. The goal is to enhance cooperation with Hamas through trusted intermediaries and to pass critical intelligence on the best locations to search. The US is also seeking as much intelligence as possible from Israel on methods to locate the bodies so it can be relayed to Hamas via mediators.
Regional reactions and ongoing security considerations
The involvement of regional players signals the high-stakes diplomatic theater surrounding Gaza. Turkey’s offer of a specialized team to locate remains illustrates how states are using technical expertise to address humanitarian and diplomatic concerns. At the same time, Israeli authorities remain focused on broader strategic questions, including what happens if Hamas does not comply with further obligations under the ceasefire agreement.
On the ground: humanitarian aid and civilian impact
Beyond the deadlock over hostages, aid convoys and humanitarian relief continue to be contentious. The Rafah border crossing remains a chokepoint for aid deliveries, with reports of limited numbers of trucks and ongoing debates about crossing permissions. Humanitarian groups warn that delayed or reduced aid could have severe consequences for civilians in Gaza, already living in devastated conditions after years of conflict.
What’s next for the ceasefire negotiations
Trump and Israeli leaders have weighed in on how to respond if Hamas does not fulfill its commitments, signaling that military options could be reconsidered if negotiations stall. The international community remains hopeful that a stabilizing framework can be maintained, but the reality on the ground—particularly around the recovery of deceased hostages and the distribution of aid—will likely shape the next phase of discussions.
Public and family impact
Families of the hostages continue to await definitive news about loved ones. The emotional toll of delayed procedures, the appearance of bodies in medical facilities, and the ongoing uncertainty contribute to a charged atmosphere on both sides of the conflict. As officials push for transparency and progress, the global press continues to monitor developments closely, seeking to hold all parties accountable to their publicly announced commitments.
Conclusion: a fragile path toward resolution
With regional mediators and international organizations at the table, the hunt for the remains of the deceased hostages remains a critical, emotionally charged element of the Gaza ceasefire. While the US believes Hamas is operating within its stated commitments, the practical challenges—distance, debris, and political pressure—mean that significant work remains to recover all remains and restore trust among affected families and the broader public.
