The complex and deeply emotional landscape of the Gaza conflict saw another somber exchange this week as Israel confirmed the return of the remains of two more captives held by Hamas. Identified as Aryeh Zalmanovich, 85, and Master Sergeant Tamir Adar, 38, their bodies were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza, organized by Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades. This brings the total number of Israeli captive remains returned to 15, a stark reminder of those still held and those whose lives were tragically cut short.
The Israeli military stated that Zalmanovich died in captivity on November 17, 2023, while Adar was killed during the October 7th attacks and his body subsequently taken to Gaza. This exchange, while fulfilling a part of the existing ceasefire agreement, is overshadowed by a critical point of contention: Hamas asserts that Israel is failing to uphold its end of the bargain by refusing to reopen the vital Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
A Cycle of Returns, A Stalled Lifeline
The return of the Israeli captives’ remains is part of a broader, albeit fragile, understanding. Hamas has now handed over the bodies of 15 Israeli captives, with an estimated 13 more sets of remains reportedly expected. The Palestinian group cites widespread devastation in Gaza and ongoing Israeli military control as significant obstacles to recovering these bodies. This follows the earlier release of 20 living captives by Hamas at the start of the ceasefire.
On the Palestinian side, the exchange also includes the return of bodies. Earlier this week, 15 Palestinians killed while in Israeli detention were returned to Gaza for identification at the Nasser Medical Complex. Under the ceasefire, Israel has released approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and has committed to returning the remains of 360 more deceased Palestinians. However, disturbing reports have emerged from a forensics team that received some 45 Palestinian bodies returned by Israel last week, with some allegedly arriving shackled and bearing signs of abuse, raising grave concerns about their treatment in captivity.
The “Hostage” Debate and Dehumanization
Ubai Al-Aboudi, executive director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, has highlighted a critical perspective, suggesting that Palestinian prisoners held by Israel should also be considered “hostages.” He argues that the system itself dehumanizes Palestinians, and that the term “hostages” is more fitting for those imprisoned without due process, often under military orders in an occupied territory. Al-Aboudi points out that a significant portion of the Palestinian population has faced arrest or detention by Israel over the decades, and the conditions in Israeli prisons are reported to have worsened dramatically since the outbreak of the war on Gaza.
Rafah Crossing: A Sticking Point
The central grievance expressed by Hamas officials, who met with Turkish counterparts in Qatar, revolves around the continued closure of the Rafah crossing. They maintain that Israel’s refusal to reopen this crucial gateway for the travel of the sick and injured, and for the entry of humanitarian aid, constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The Rafah crossing, connecting Gaza to Egypt, has been closed since May 7, 2024, when Israeli forces seized it during their invasion of Rafah. The crossing is a vital “artery” for humanitarian access, according to the United Nations. While residents of Rafah experienced temporary reopenings for medical evacuations during a previous ceasefire, the crossing has remained largely inaccessible for humanitarian aid since May.
Despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing on May 24, 2024, it remains closed, with only limited alternative access through the adjacent Karem Abu Salem crossing. This continued closure is not only hindering vital humanitarian efforts but also forms a significant roadblock in Hamas’s eyes to fully upholding the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
This week’s exchange of remains, while a step in the grim process of accounting for the lost, underscores the deep-seated tensions and unresolved issues that continue to plague efforts towards lasting peace and stability in the region. The future of the ceasefire hinges, in no small part, on the reopening of critical humanitarian lifelines like the Rafah crossing.
