Palestinians cross a flooded road 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 recuperate the physique of the final Israeli hostage in Gaza have been hindered by heavy rains and unhealthy climate within the enclave, in line with an Israeli official who spoke to NPR on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk to the media.
“Search operations and continued sweeps have been coordinated, but are currently delayed due to weather conditions in the northern Gaza Strip,” the official stated.
The official advised NPR that the search efforts are “expected to resume as soon as ground conditions allow.”
The start of section two of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire settlement is on maintain, till the final physique is transferred to Israeli authorities by Hamas.
Section two would contain Hamas laying down its arms and an Israeli navy withdrawal from Gaza.
The physique of Ran Gvili, who was killed whereas making an attempt to assist folks 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 struggle, advised NPR that there have been “currently no search operations underway,” as a result of climate circumstances didn’t allow it.
The Israeli navy didn’t affirm the delays in search efforts for Gvili’s physique however referred to as on Hamas to “fulfill its part of the agreement.”
The Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Hazem Qassim, advised NPR the search efforts have been “very complicated.”
Each side have blamed the opposite for violating the phrases of the primary section of the ceasefire.
Israel has continued to strike Gaza because the ceasefire deal was reached in October, killing greater than 380 Palestinians, in line with native well being officers.
Earlier this month, the Israeli navy assassinated a prime Hamas chief it considered because the second-in-command of the group’s navy wing. Hamas referred to as {that a} violation of the ceasefire.
Heavy rains have swamped 1000’s of tents used as shelters by already displaced Palestinians.
The United Nations company answerable for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, appealed to the Israeli navy to permit extra support into Gaza.
“With heavy rain and cold brought in by Storm Byron, people in the Gaza Strip are freezing to death,” UNRWA Commissioner-Basic Philippe Lazzarini posted on X.
Lazzarini stated that the waterlogged ruins of buildings have been collapsing.
Gaza civil protection spokesperson Mahmoud Basal stated that dozens of Palestinians have been killed when buildings collapsed.
“These buildings are a major nightmare in Gaza and threaten the lives of thousands of people,” Basal advised NPR.
Itay Stern contributed to this report from Tel Aviv. Abu Bakr Bashir contributed from the UK. Ahmed Abuhamda contributed from Cairo.
