Israel’s prime minister told mourners that the government remained determined to recover the bodies of hostages still in Gaza, and that Israel would continue to fight terrorism with full force if threatened again.
He spoke shortly after two more bodies were returned, while searches continued for others believed to be in areas devastated by fighting.
The remarks followed mounting public anger over the pace of returns and questions about the implementation of the ceasefire.
US advisers stated that preparations for the next phase of the deal continued, and that current delays did not constitute a breach, based on information shared by the mediators. Officials noted that access challenges in Gaza complicated recovery operations.
What did Netanyahu signal at the memorial?
Speaking at a memorial ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel remained committed to securing the return of all dead hostages, Israeli and foreign, and that the fight against terrorism would continue with full force if attacks resumed.
He framed the objective as a national duty, tied to deterrence and closure for bereaved families.
His message balanced resolve with an explicit warning that Israel would exact a price from those who harm its citizens.
The timing underscored pressure on his government to show progress on returns. The ceremony took place days after the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the 7 October attack, a moment of renewed national reflection and grief.
Did you know?
The International Committee of the Red Cross has operated in Israel and the Palestinian territories for decades, facilitating exchanges and humanitarian access during multiple conflicts.
How many hostages and remains were returned
Hamas handed over two more bodies to the International Committee of the Red Cross, identified as Inbar Hayman and Sergeant Major Muhammad al-Atarash.
Their return brought the number of dead hostages recovered since Monday to nine out of twenty-eight, while authorities continued to account for the remaining bodies.
All twenty living hostages covered by the recent arrangement were released earlier in the week, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Hamas said its military wing would keep searching for additional remains, noting that locating bodies would require substantial effort, specialized equipment, and safe access to damaged areas.
Did delays violate the ceasefire terms?
US advisers said the deal’s next phase still moved forward despite the lag in recovering all remains. They indicated that, based on mediator updates and provisions circulating in public summaries, delays by themselves did not prove a breach.
A leaked text suggested that some bodies might not be immediately accessible under current conditions. Officials also cited the scale of destruction in parts of Gaza as a practical constraint on searches.
They discussed the potential use of rewards to encourage civilians to share information about locations, while stressing that verification and safety would govern any recovery effort. The overall stance sought to preserve the deal’s momentum.
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Will aid flows and crossings change
Israeli officials warned that delays could trigger restrictions on aid, a lever the government has previously considered during disputes over compliance.
At the same time, they reiterated that humanitarian shipments would continue through Kerem Shalom and other approved crossings after security inspections, rather than through Rafah.
Rafah’s reopening for people was described as pending, with no date announced as preparations continued on both sides of the border.
The ceasefire framework referenced a return to a prior mechanism for limited medical evacuations; however, implementation details remained contingent upon security conditions and the readiness of infrastructure.
What comes next for the deal
Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the government to halt implementation until all nineteen remaining bodies were returned.
The appeal reflected growing frustration among families and advocates who prioritized closure and accountability over a diplomatic approach. Pressure on the cabinet and negotiators was likely to intensify if searches stalled.
Advisers to the US president maintained that Hamas had acted in good faith by sharing information with interlocutors, even as recovery efforts lagged.
They emphasized continuity of the ceasefire process, while acknowledging the need for concrete progress on remains.
The balance between humanitarian steps and verification would shape the trajectory of the next phase.
As authorities work to identify Palestinians’ bodies returned by Israel, the parallel processes highlight the reciprocal nature of the exchanges.
Forensic teams faced complex identification tasks amid disrupted records and damaged facilities. Each confirmed match offered families a measure of certainty, even as broader disputes over obligations persisted.
Officials in Israel stated that any opening of Rafah for people would be announced only after the required preparations with Egypt, and reiterated that aid would not pass through that crossing under current plans.
The reliance on Kerem Shalom and other routes reflected security priorities and inspection capacity, which remained central to logistics.
Looking ahead, the ceasefire’s durability will hinge on verifiable steps that build minimal trust, including steady returns of remains and clear communication from mediators.
If searches yield results, pressure may ease, and humanitarian corridors may become more stable. If delays deepen, expect renewed brinkmanship over aid, crossings, and the pace of the deal’s next stage.
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