Unanswered Questions in Gaza After Hostage Swap
Unresolved Issues Remain
A fragile pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas has begun, but many issues are still unresolved. The swap of living hostages for Palestinian prisoners has happened, but the bodies of those who died in captivity have not all been returned.
Bodies Returned
Only four bodies were given to Israel so far. Two of them were identified as:
- Guy Illouz from Israel
- Bipin Joshi from Nepal
Both were in their 20s when they were taken during the October 7, 2023 attack. Illouz died from untreated wounds, and Joshi was killed early in the war.
Medical Care for Freed Hostages
The freed hostages are still in medical care. Some may not be able to go home for weeks. In Gaza and the West Bank, released prisoners also needed hospital treatment.
Ceasefire Deal
The ceasefire deal says Israel will pull back its forces to where they were in August. But big questions remain:
- Will Hamas give up its weapons?
- Who will lead and rebuild Gaza?
- What about a Palestinian state?
U.S. President's Involvement
The U.S. President called the ceasefire a first step to peace. He met with leaders in Egypt to talk about Gaza's future. But Israel and Hamas were not at the meeting.
Rebuilding Gaza
Rebuilding Gaza will cost a lot. The U.N. says $70 billion is needed, with $20 billion required in the next three years. The President urged leaders to work together for lasting peace.