Israeli regime to cut Gaza aid, keeps Rafah closed tomorrow

Israeli Channel 13 reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Israeli political leadership has decided to impose “punitive measures” against the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip over what it described as delays in handing over the bodies of Israeli captives.

According to the report, the occupation authorities decided not to reopen the Rafah crossing on Wednesday and to significantly reduce humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’s failure to deliver the remaining bodies.

Channel 13 added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted the recommendations of security agencies calling for a reduction in aid and for the Rafah crossing to remain closed.

No final decision on what constitutes violation
Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that no final decision has yet been made on whether the delay in transferring the bodies constitutes a violation of the existing agreement.

On Monday, Hamas announced that it had handed over the bodies of four Israeli captives.

In response, Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz claimed that Hamas’s announcement constituted a “breach of its commitments,” warning that “any intentional delay or negligence will be considered a blatant violation of the agreement and will be met with an appropriate response.”
Prisoner exchange begins
Israeli media outlets reported that seven Israeli captives released by Hamas under the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip have been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and are reportedly in good condition.

Earlier this morning, the Israeli army stated that ICRC vehicles arrived at an agreed-upon location in the northern Gaza Strip to receive the released captives. This development comes after days of ongoing negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

Moreover, Red Cross buses also headed to Gaza’s Khan Younis to receive the second batch of Israeli captives.

The Israeli army confirmed its readiness to receive the additional captives, stating that more captives were expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later in the day.

According to Channel 13, the prisoner handover was scheduled to begin at 8 am in the Netzarim area, followed by another transfer at 10 am in Khan Younis. The process is being carried out under international supervision.

Palestinian detainees prepare for release
On the Palestinian side, buses departed from Gaza toward the Karem Abu Salem crossing in preparation for receiving the Palestinian detainees scheduled for release.

According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza, the families of the detainees have not yet been informed of the official list of those being freed or whether any will be deported. Meanwhile, the al-Qassam Brigades released the names of the living Israeli captives expected to be released.

Israeli media reported that buses carrying Palestinian detainees arrived at Ofer Prison early in the morning, and sources confirmed that final preparations have been completed for the release of more than 2,000 Palestinian detainees as part of the agreement’s first phase.

Shosh Bedrosian, spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the government expects all 20 living captives to be released at once and handed over to the Red Cross simultaneously. On the fourth day of the ceasefire, Netanyahu described the return of the captives as a “historic event” marked by a mixture of “sadness and joy.”