Gaza city: Red Cross and Egyptian teams have been allowed beyond the ‘yellow line’ in Gaza to assist in the search for hostage remains, a government spokesperson announced on Sunday. The move comes as part of ongoing efforts to manage security and humanitarian conditions in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israel will maintain overall security control over the Gaza Strip, indicating that the Israeli army will continue to supervise security operations even after the current phase of fighting. The ‘yellow line’ represents an imaginary boundary separating areas currently under Israeli army occupation from those they have vacated.

Under a ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, Israel has released 20 living hostages and the bodies of 16 others. However, the remains of 12 captives are still believed to be within the enclave. The deal marks the initial phase of a broader plan that includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, along with plans to rebuild Gaza and establish a new governance system excluding Hamas.

On Saturday, Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya stated that his group plans to enter more areas in the Gaza Strip to search for the remains of Israeli hostages. This initiative is part of the larger efforts to address the humanitarian situation and bring closure to the families affected by the conflict.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that over 68,000 people have been killed and more than 170,000 injured since October 2023. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with both sides working to find solutions that could lead to long-term peace and stability in the region.