Hamas says it will hand over body of Gaza hostage on Monday evening
Table of Contents
- 1. Hamas says it will hand over body of Gaza hostage on Monday evening
- 2. Netanyahu meets Witkoff and Kushner in Israel amid fragile ceasefire
- 3. Death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza reaches 68,216, says health ministry
- 4. US VP Vance to arrive in Israel on Tuesday, Israeli Airports Authority says
- 5. Egypt to host talks in Cairo with Hamas’ chief negotiator – statement
- 6. What are the key sticking points preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching a long-term ceasefire agreement?
- 7. Gaza Ceasefire Update: Hamas Agrees to Release Another Hostage Body Amid Ongoing Negotiations with Israel
- 8. Latest Developments in Hostage Release & Ceasefire Talks
- 9. Details of the Hostage Release agreement
- 10. The Role of International Mediators
- 11. Impact on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
- 12. Challenges and Obstacles to a Lasting Ceasefire
- 13. Previous Hostage Releases: A Timeline
Hamas’ armed wing said it would hand over the remains of a hostage at 1700 GMT recovered a day earlier in Gaza.
The return of 28 dead hostages was part of the agreement that ushered in a ceasefire, but 16 are still to be returned. The delay has caused outrage in Israel.
Mediators understand that Hamas is having trouble locating all of the dead but the Israeli government believes the militant group is making insufficient effort.
Hamas says the war’s devastation and Israeli military control of certain areas of Gaza have slowed the handover.
Key events
Netanyahu meets Witkoff and Kushner in Israel amid fragile ceasefire
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has met with Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, and adviser Jared Kushner, in Israel.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu met earlier today with special envoy Steve Witkoff and (US) President (Donald) Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on the developments and updates in the region,” Shosh Bedrosian, spokesperson for the prime minister’s office told journalists.
She confirmed that US vice-president JD Vance and his wife were due to visit Israel “for a few days and will be meeting with the prime minister”.
Israel launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Sunday and cut off all aid into Gaza “until further notice” after a reported attack by Hamasin escalations that marked the most serious threat so far to the fragile ceasefire in the devastated territory.
Aid deliveries will resume on Monday through multiple crossings after Israeli inspection, in line with the agreement, according to an Israeli security official.
It seems as though pressure from Israel’s most powerful ally – the US – has helped ensure the agreement has not compeltely been derailed and talks about the plan’s second phase, including the disarmament of Hamas, are set to continue.
Death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza reaches 68,216, says health ministry
Gaza’s health ministry said in its latest update that the bodies of 57 people were brought to hospitals across the territory in the last 24 hours. It said 158 people had been injured.
The health ministry says that it means at least 68,216 Palestinian people have been killed and 170,361 others injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October 2023.
Most of the people killed in these Israeli attacks have been civilians, many of whom were women and children.
The health ministry, whose figures the UN finds credible, added in its update to Telegram:
A number of victims are still under the rubble and in the streets, where ambulance and civil defence crews are unable to reach them at this time.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were in Israel on Monday to shore up the tenuous ceasefire that is holding in Gaza.
It comes a day after the fragile deal faced its first major flareup with Israel threatening to halt aid transfers after it said Hamas militants had killed two soldiers.
The US embassy said the two envoys had landed in Tel Aviv. The Israeli military later said it resumed enforcing the ceasefire, and the official confirmed that aid deliveries would resume on Monday.
By early afternoon, it was not immediately clear if the flow of aid had restarted.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels held a funeral Monday for their military chief of staff who was killed in a recent Israeli strike, with more than 1,000 people gathered for the ceremony in the rebel-held capital of Sana’a.
The Iranian-backed rebel group acknowledged last week that one of their senior officers, Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, was killed in an Israeli airstrike along with other top rebel leaders.
The Houthis did not say when the strike took place but this death further escalating tensions between the rebels and Israel.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz warned that any Hamas militants in areas of Gaza still under Israeli control must leave immediately and that anyone remaining beyond the yellow line would be targeted without warning.
Both Tehran and Paris have the necessary will to resolve the “issue” of prisoners, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday, a week after an Iranian court gave heavy prison sentences to two French citizens.
“We are following the issue seriously. We believe both sides have the necessary will to resolve this issue,” Baghaei said when asked at a weekly press conference about the possibility of a prisoner swap.
Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris are the only two French citizens being held in Iran and have been detained since 2022.
Iran has accused France of arbitrarily detaining Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student living in the French city of Lyon who was arrested this year over anti-Israel social media posts.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected on Monday an assertion by US president Donald Trump that the United States has destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“The US president proudly says they bombed and destroyed Iran’s nuclear industry. Very well, keep dreaming!” Khamenei said on X.
US vice-president JD Vance is to visit Israel on Tuesday, the country’s airport authority said in a statement on Monday announcing preparations for his arrival at Tel Aviv’s airport.
Israel Airports Authority said traffic disruptions around the airport were expected between 10.30am and 1.30pm local time and that some flights would be moved to another terminal.
Egypt to host talks in Cairo with Hamas’ chief negotiator – statement
Egypt will host talks in Cairo on Monday with Khalil Al-HayyaHamas’ exiled Gaza chief, over ways to follow up on implementing the ceasefire agreement, the group said in a statement.
A Palestinian official, close to the talks, has been quoted by Reuters as saying the group’s delegation would discuss ways to push forward the formation of a technocrat body to run Gaza without Hamas representation.
Israel has not agreed to the idea in the past and insisted Hamas be defeated and disarmed.
Hamas and other allied factions reject any foreign administration of Gaza, as envisaged in Trump’s 20-point planand it has so far resisted calls to lay down arms, which may complicate the implementation of the deal.
Unrwa has been the major distributor of aid in Gaza and has provided education, health and other basic services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the region.
But an Israeli ban on the agency in Gaza and the occupied West Bank took effect earlier this year after Israel accused it of being infiltrated by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. Unrwa denies this claim.
Palestinian Unrwa personnel in Gaza have continued to provide services and assistance to the civilian population and staff have done the same in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Under the terms of the first phase of Trump’s ceasefire dealaid was meant to surge into Gaza, but humanitarian agencies have warned that aid remains scarce across the territory, with many Israeli restrictions having remained in place, throttling the supply of desperately needed assistance.
Sam Roseacting director of Unrwa affairs in Gaza (at the AND agency for Palestinian refugees), tells BBC News that “bureaucratic constraints” are still preventing the delivery of vital supplies.
He said the volume of aid is still “way below what is needed”. At least 600 trucks are needed every day – at a minimum – to start addressing Gaza’s dire humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.
Rose said it is not just the “basics” Palestinian people need to “survive” but other forms of aid/assistance are also needed, but are not always being allowed in by Israelincluding educational supplies and temporary accommodation.
“It’s not just the type of items but also the organisations that are permitted to bring those supplies in,” he told BBC News. “International NGOs – including many British NGOs – are not currently permitted to bring those supplies in.”
Here are some of the latest images being sent to us over the newswires from Gaza:
Mourners cry as they attend the funeral of Palestinian people killed in Sunday’s Israeli airstrikes, at al-Awda hospital in the central Gaza. Photograph: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters
What are the key sticking points preventing Israel and Hamas from reaching a long-term ceasefire agreement?
Gaza Ceasefire Update: Hamas Agrees to Release Another Hostage Body Amid Ongoing Negotiations with Israel
Latest Developments in Hostage Release & Ceasefire Talks
As of October 20, 2025, a importent development has emerged in the ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel: Hamas has agreed to release the body of another hostage. This follows weeks of intense diplomatic efforts mediated primarily by Qatar, egypt, and the United States, aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza.The identity of the hostage has not yet been publicly released, pending family notification. This release represents a fragile but crucial step forward in the complex process of achieving peace and securing the safety of those still captive.
Details of the Hostage Release agreement
The terms surrounding this latest release, and the broader potential ceasefire agreement, remain fluid. However, key elements currently under discussion include:
* Phased Release: The agreement is expected to involve a phased release of hostages, prioritizing women, children, and the elderly.
* Palestinian Prisoner Exchange: In return for the release of hostages, Israel is reportedly considering releasing a significant number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The exact number and identities of these prisoners are a major point of contention.
* Ceasefire Duration: Negotiations are focused on securing a prolonged ceasefire,perhaps lasting several months,to allow for further negotiations and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
* Increased Humanitarian Aid: A critical component of the potential agreement is a substantial increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza, including food, water, medical supplies, and fuel. The current levels are widely considered insufficient to address the dire needs of the civilian population.
* Monitoring Mechanism: Discussions are underway to establish a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the ceasefire terms by both sides.
The Role of International Mediators
Qatar,Egypt,and the united States have been instrumental in facilitating dialog between Hamas and Israel.
* qatar: has maintained direct channels of communication with Hamas leadership and played a key role in brokering previous hostage releases.
* Egypt: Leveraging its historical ties with both Hamas and israel,Egypt has been a crucial mediator,notably in facilitating the movement of aid and personnel.
* United States: Providing significant diplomatic pressure and logistical support, the US has been working to secure a extensive agreement that addresses the security concerns of both sides.
The involvement of these international actors is considered vital to sustaining the momentum towards a lasting resolution.
Impact on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The ongoing conflict has created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The release of hostages and a potential ceasefire are seen as essential steps towards alleviating the suffering of the civilian population.
* Healthcare System Collapse: The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with hospitals overwhelmed and lacking essential supplies.
* Food Insecurity: Widespread food insecurity is prevalent, with a significant portion of the population facing starvation.
* Displacement: Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced from their homes due to the fighting.
* Water Scarcity: Access to clean water is severely limited, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
A sustained ceasefire would allow for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid,providing a lifeline to the people of Gaza.
Challenges and Obstacles to a Lasting Ceasefire
Despite the recent progress, significant challenges remain in achieving a lasting ceasefire.
* Distrust: Deep-seated distrust between Hamas and Israel continues to be a major obstacle.
* Extremist Groups: The presence of extremist groups within Gaza,who may oppose a ceasefire,poses a threat to the stability of any agreement.
* Political Pressure: Both Hamas and the Israeli government face internal political pressure that could hinder their willingness to compromise.
* Future Security Arrangements: Agreeing on long-term security arrangements for Gaza remains a complex and contentious issue.
* Verification of terms: Ensuring the full verification of the ceasefire terms and preventing violations will be crucial for its success.
Previous Hostage Releases: A Timeline
Understanding the history of hostage releases provides context to the current situation.
* November 2023: the frist hostage release occured as part of a temporary ceasefire, facilitated by Qatar, resulting in the release of over 100 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners.
* December 2023: Further negotiations led to the release of additional hostages, but the ceasefire was ultimately broken.
* **Ongoing Efforts (2024-20
