Red Cross, Egyptian Teams Allowed Into New Gaza Areas to Search for Hostage Remains

The International Committee of the Red Cross and Egyptian teams have been allowed to move beyond the so-called “yellow line” in Gaza Strip to assist in the search for the remains of hostages.

According to Israeli officials, the “yellow line” is an informal boundary separating areas currently occupied by the Israel Defense Forces from zones where troops have withdrawn. The teams’ access marks a step in ongoing efforts tied to the ceasefire process.

A government spokesperson for Israel said the country will maintain overall security control over Gaza, indicating the Israeli army will continue overseeing security operations even after the current phase of fighting.

Meanwhile, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya announced that the group would also enter additional areas of Gaza to search for the remains of Israeli hostages. Since October 13, Hamas has released 20 living Israeli captives and returned the bodies of 16 others, leaving 12 still unaccounted for as part of a ceasefire agreement that began on October 10.

The first phase of the deal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and outlines plans to rebuild Gaza and create a new governing framework that excludes Hamas.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 2023 has killed more than 68,000 people and injured over 170,000 others.

Source: Newstimehub