Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:07am on 16 Oct 2025,Thursday International
The US has downplayed threats to the Gaza ceasefire after Hamas said it needs more time to recover the remaining bodies of Israeli hostages. Under the first phase of the peace plan, Hamas returned 20 living hostages and nine bodies. Two bodies handed over Wednesday night were identified by Israel as Sergeant-Major Muhammad al-Atarash, 39, and Inbar Hayman, 27. Senior US advisers described talks with mediators as “positive” and said Hamas intends to honour the agreement. Meanwhile, Israel is preparing to open the Rafah crossing for civilians, though aid continues to enter through other checkpoints. (PC: BBC)
