The article discusses the return of the body of Staff Sergeant Itai Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and confirmed dead in March 2024. His remains were returned amid a US-mediated ceasefire that began on October 10, 2023, allowing Hamas to return the remains of 20 hostages to Israel. As part of this arrangement, for every Israeli hostage returned, Israel has released 15 Palestinian bodies, though concerns exist about the identification of these remains due to complications in Gaza.
Since the conflict’s onset, resulting from a Hamas attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, Gaza has witnessed significant casualties among Palestinians, with over 68,800 reported dead. Israel disputes narratives of genocide and the casualty figures provided by Gaza’s Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas.
Amidst ongoing violence, discussions are underway for an international stabilization force in Gaza to be supported by the UN. Humanitarian aid efforts are also ramping up, with the World Food Program distributing food to 1 million people, though further aid is hindered by limited access across borders. The article highlights the complexity of the situation and various international responses to the ongoing conflict.
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