Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli media reported today that a major development is expected regarding the establishment of an “international task force to identify those killed in the Gaza Strip.” This comes following the visit of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Israel to follow up on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
A step within Trump’s post-war plan
According to informed sources, this step comes as part of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza. The plan includes provisions for the deployment of an international force to ensure stability and the disarmament of Palestinian factions, most notably Hamas. It also includes the return of the bodies of Israeli prisoners from the Strip.
The sources explained that the American delegation held extensive meetings with Israeli officials to discuss the details of implementing these provisions. The sources emphasized that Washington considers the completion of the mission to recover the bodies a prerequisite for moving forward with implementing the agreement in all its stages.
Mutual Commitment
For its part, Hamas affirmed in a statement its full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, noting that it had handed over the bodies of new Israeli hostages via the International Committee of the Red Cross.
According to official Israeli statistics, Hamas has so far handed over 20 live prisoners and 13 bodies of Israeli hostages.
This step is an important indicator of progress on the ground in implementing the agreement, despite its political and security fragility.
Agreement details
It’s worth noting that the ceasefire agreement went into effect on October 10. The agreement is based on the Trump plan, which focuses on several pillars, including a comprehensive ceasefire. It also includes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, a simultaneous prisoner exchange, and the entry of urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The importance of the task force
The International Task Force for Identification of the Dead is a vital mechanism for implementing the agreement. This is due to the presence of dozens of unidentified bodies in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the war. This poses a humanitarian and political challenge.
The team is expected to include experts from several countries and international humanitarian organizations. Its field work is expected to be coordinated through joint contact points between the Israeli and Palestinian sides and under direct American supervision.
