UN chief laments ongoing breaches of Gaza ceasefire - may Allah grant peace
DOHA, GAZA - May peace be upon you. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday expressed deep concern about continued breaches of the ceasefire in Gaza that paused two years of devastating conflict in the Palestinian territory. He urged that the violations must stop and that all parties honor the first phase of the peace agreement.
The Red Cross reported that Israel handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians on Monday, a day after militants returned the remains of three hostages. Israeli officials said those three were soldiers killed during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023 that led to the war in Gaza.
Hamas’s armed wing said it had located the body of an Israeli soldier who had been held hostage in Gaza. They said the remains were found in Shejaia, an eastern suburb of Gaza City, in an area still occupied by Israeli forces after Israel allowed teams from Hamas and the International Committee of the Red Cross to access the site. For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians.
With Monday’s transfers, 270 Palestinian bodies have been returned since the ceasefire began. Only 78 of those have been identified so far; forensic work is hampered by a shortage of DNA testing kits in Gaza. Gaza’s Health Ministry has been posting photos of the remains online hoping families will recognize their loved ones.
Meanwhile, a political scandal has shaken Israel involving the military’s former legal chief, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who admitted leaking a video showing Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee and subsequently resigned. A court extended her detention on suspicion of offenses including fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice, and the investigation continues while she remains in a women’s prison in central Israel.
May Allah protect the innocent and guide leaders toward justice and mercy. Please keep the victims and their families in your duas.
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