Palestinians cross a flooded avenue following heavy rain in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Dec. 11.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
TEL AVIV, Israel — Efforts to get well the physique of the final Israeli hostage in Gaza have been hindered by heavy rains and unhealthy climate within the enclave, based on an Israeli official who spoke to NPR on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to talk to the media.
“Search operations and continued sweeps have been coordinated, however are at present delayed because of climate situations within the northern Gaza Strip,” the official mentioned.
The official informed NPR that the search efforts are “anticipated to renew as quickly as floor situations enable.”
The start of part two of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire settlement is on maintain, till the final physique is transferred to Israeli authorities by Hamas.
Part two would contain Hamas laying down its arms and an Israeli army withdrawal from Gaza.
The physique of Ran Gvili, who was killed whereas making an attempt to assist individuals escape from the Nova music competition, is the final Israeli hostage held by Hamas. Gvili was 24 and the member of an elite police unit.
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, which has advocated for the return of the hostages because the starting of the battle, informed NPR that there have been “at present no search operations underway,” as a result of climate situations didn’t allow it.
The Israeli army didn’t affirm the delays in search efforts for Gvili’s physique however referred to as on Hamas to “fulfill its a part of the settlement.”
The Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Hazem Qassim, informed NPR the search efforts had been “very sophisticated.”
Either side have blamed the opposite for violating the phrases of the primary part of the ceasefire.
Israel has continued to strike Gaza because the ceasefire deal was reached in October, killing greater than 380 Palestinians, based on native well being officers.
Earlier this month, the Israeli army assassinated a high Hamas chief it seen because the second-in-command of the group’s army wing. Hamas referred to as {that a} violation of the ceasefire.
Heavy rains have swamped hundreds of tents used as shelters by already displaced Palestinians.
The United Nations company liable for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, appealed to the Israeli army to permit extra assist into Gaza.
“With heavy rain and chilly introduced in by Storm Byron, individuals within the Gaza Strip are freezing to dying,” UNRWA Commissioner-Normal Philippe Lazzarini posted on X.
Lazzarini mentioned that the waterlogged ruins of buildings had been collapsing.
Gaza civil protection spokesperson Mahmoud Basal mentioned that dozens of Palestinians had been killed when buildings collapsed.
“These buildings are a serious nightmare in Gaza and threaten the lives of hundreds of individuals,” Basal informed NPR.
Itay Stern contributed to this report from Tel Aviv. Abu Bakr Bashir contributed from the UK. Ahmed Abuhamda contributed from Cairo.
