Background on Ronen Engel
Ronen Engel, a 54-year-old photojournalist from the kibbutz Nir Oz, was abducted from his home and killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. His body was taken to Gaza, and the Israeli military announced his death on December 1, 2023. Engel’s wife and adolescent children were also kidnapped but released during a previous truce.
Netanyahu’s Statements and Political Future
On Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the war in Gaza would end once the second phase of the ceasefire, which includes Hamas’s disarmament, is successfully completed. He stated on Channel 14 television, “When this is achieved—hopefully easily, but if not forcefully—then the war will end.” Netanyahu also announced his intention to seek another term in the 2026 elections, having been in power for 18 years in a discontinuous manner.
Hamas Resistance and US Warning
Hamas resists the idea of surrendering its weapons and attempts to regain control over Gaza since the ceasefire. The US Department of State warned on Saturday that there are “credible reports” that Hamas plans to attack civilians in the Gaza enclave.
Hostage Return and Border Reopening
Israel has stated that it will condition the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on the delivery of all deceased hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas claims that closing this border crossing will delay the return of the hostages. Humanitarian agencies and the United Nations urgently demand the opening of this critical passage to deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.
Search for Remains and Ceasefire Violations
Rescue teams are working diligently to recover bodies buried under the rubble, while Hamas attempts to locate the remains of Israeli hostages to be handed over to Israel. Both parties agreed to a ceasefire starting October 10, in exchange for the return of all hostages—alive or dead—within 72 hours from Gaza. Hamas released the 20 living captives on time but only delivered the remains of 12 out of 28 deceased captives.
- Key Questions and Answers:
- Q: Who is Ronen Engel, and why is his case significant?
- A: Ronen Engel was a 54-year-old photojournalist abducted and killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. His case is significant due to the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, as well as the impact on his family.
- Q: What is the current status of the ceasefire and hostage return?
- A: Hamas has released 20 living captives but only delivered the remains of 12 deceased captives. Israel has returned 15 Palestinian bodies, bringing the total repatriated to 135. Both sides are experiencing delays, with Israel calling it a violation of the ceasefire terms and Hamas citing numerous violations, including civilian deaths caused by Israeli forces since October 10.
- Q: What are the subsequent stages of the peace plan proposed by Donald Trump?
- A: The subsequent stages include Hamas’s disarmament, amnesty or disarmament of its members, and Israel’s complete withdrawal. However, there is no agreement on these points.
The October 7 attack resulted in 1,221 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data. The Israeli offensive caused 67,967 civilian deaths in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the local Health Ministry’s figures, deemed reliable by the UN. Local authorities estimate there are around 10,000 bodies among the rubble.
