Gaza Truce: Israel identifies a body as U.S. diplomatic efforts intensify to sustain calm
A new step has been taken toward implementing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, with messages from Hamas and increasing U.S. pressure on Israel to prevent a return to war. This marks the twelfth day of the truce brokered jointly by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar in the Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday, Israel announced that the body handed over the previous day by Hamas, as part of the ceasefire deal, belonged to Staff Sergeant Tal Hayimi, who was killed on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas attack on Israel. In a statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed: “Following the identification process conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, representatives of the army informed the family of the hostage, Tal Hayimi, that his body had been identified.”
Tal Hayimi, 41, served as the defense commander of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak during the Hamas assault in southern Israel.
Meanwhile, Khalil al-Hayya, head of the Hamas negotiating delegation, reiterated the group’s seriousness in retrieving the bodies of all deceased captives. He acknowledged, however, that “retrieving the remains has proven extremely difficult,” adding, “We continue our efforts with confidence and determination to fully implement the ceasefire agreement.”
Al-Hayya emphasized that Hamas remains “committed to the ceasefire agreement and to the terms agreed upon with other Palestinian factions,” expressing hope that “the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza will increase.” He also noted: “What we have heard from mediators and the U.S. president reassures us that the war in Gaza has come to an end.”
American pressure on Israel
At the same time, the U.S. administration is exerting strong pressure on Israel to maintain the truce. The American news outlet News Nation quoted a White House official as saying that Vice President JD Vance would arrive in Israel on Tuesday to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to upholding the ceasefire agreement.
“The vice president will ensure that both parties remain committed to the ceasefire,” the official stated, adding that “everyone remains highly optimistic about its continuation.” He also said that “the U.S. administration is confident that developments are moving in the right direction.”
These remarks came after The New York Times reported growing concern within the Trump administration that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might withdraw from the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The newspaper added that the current U.S. strategy involves Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner working together to prevent Netanyahu from resuming military operations.
This diplomatic momentum follows Israeli airstrikes on Gaza last Sunday, despite the ongoing truce, which Israel justified as a response to an alleged attack on its forces. Hamas denied any violation of the ceasefire, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining calm under the terms of the negotiated agreement.
