Israel Tightens Gaza Aid as Hostage Remains Returned; Ceasefire Faces New TestBy HIT & HOT NEWS Desk | October 15, 2025
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Gaza City: The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas entered a tense phase on Monday as Israel restricted humanitarian aid deliveries and kept the Rafah border crossing closed, citing disputes over the return of hostage remains. The move has sparked fresh concern among international observers and humanitarian groups, who warn that Gaza’s crisis could deepen if aid continues to be limited.
Israeli officials said the decision followed what they described as “non-compliance” by Hamas with parts of the U.S.-brokered peace agreement, particularly the delay in handing over the bodies of several Israeli hostages.
Despite the standoff, four additional sets of hostage remains were transferred to Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross on Sunday night. The exchange brought the total number of returned bodies in recent days to eight, but Israel insists that Hamas must fully honor the agreement before the Rafah crossing reopens.
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⚠️ Humanitarian Situation Worsens
The closure of Rafah — the only crossing point for most goods and aid into Gaza — has slowed the arrival of essential supplies, including fuel, food, and medical items. Aid groups operating inside Gaza have sounded alarms about critical shortages in hospitals and displacement shelters.
“Every hour of delay puts more lives at risk,” said one aid official, describing the situation as “a humanitarian emergency on the brink.”
The United Nations has urged both parties to maintain the ceasefire and ensure uninterrupted humanitarian access.
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Ceasefire Under Pressure
While the ceasefire technically remains in effect, sporadic clashes were reported in parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis. Local sources said several Palestinians were killed in overnight gunfire, prompting fears of a broader escalation.
Israeli officials accused Hamas of violating the truce terms, while Hamas leaders blamed Israeli military patrols for “provocations.” The renewed tension underscores how fragile the ceasefire remains, despite diplomatic pressure from Washington and regional allies.
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⚖️ Power Struggles Inside Gaza
Inside Gaza, internal tensions are rising. Reports have emerged of Hamas executing suspected collaborators, part of an apparent effort to consolidate power as the group faces external pressure and domestic unrest.
Meanwhile, a transitional governance plan — involving a council of 15 Palestinian technocrats — has begun taking shape under the supervision of international mediators. The plan aims to restore basic administration and lead reconstruction efforts, but questions remain over its legitimacy and Hamas’s role in the process.
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Global Reactions
The European Union has called for greater involvement in Gaza’s reconstruction, proposing to join a new international “Board of Peace” that would oversee aid distribution and governance.
In Washington, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped broker the ongoing truce, warned that Hamas must disarm completely or face what he called “enforcement action.” Trump said “Phase Two” of his peace plan would begin soon, focusing on demilitarization and rebuilding Gaza’s civil institutions.
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️ The Road Ahead
As of Monday night, negotiations to reopen the Rafah crossing were ongoing but showed little progress. Both sides remain under pressure — Israel to ease humanitarian suffering, and Hamas to fulfill its ceasefire obligations.
Analysts say the next few days will determine whether the fragile truce can survive. Any escalation could risk unraveling months of diplomacy and plunge Gaza back into turmoil.
For Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, however, the immediate concern remains simple: surviving amid limited food, scarce electricity, and an uncertain peace.
