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 better the physique of the final Israeli hostage in Gaza have been hindered by heavy rains and dangerous climate within the enclave, in keeping with 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 as a result of climate situations within the northern Gaza Strip,” the official mentioned.
The official advised NPR that the search efforts are “anticipated to renew as quickly as floor situations enable.”
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.
Part 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 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 struggle, advised NPR that there have been “at present no search operations underway,” as a result of climate situations didn’t allow it.
The Israeli navy didn’t affirm the delays in search efforts for Gvili’s physique however known as on Hamas to “fulfill its a part of the settlement.”
The Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Hazem Qassim, advised NPR the search efforts have been “very difficult.”
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 keeping with native well being officers.
Earlier this month, the Israeli navy assassinated a high Hamas chief it seen because the second-in-command of the group’s navy wing. Hamas known 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 chilly introduced in by Storm Byron, individuals within the Gaza Strip are freezing to demise,” UNRWA Commissioner-Common Philippe Lazzarini posted on X.
Lazzarini mentioned that the waterlogged ruins of buildings have been collapsing.
Gaza civil protection spokesperson Mahmoud Basal mentioned that dozens of Palestinians have been killed when buildings collapsed.
“These buildings are a serious nightmare in Gaza and threaten the lives of 1000’s of individuals,” Basal advised NPR.
Itay Stern contributed to this report from Tel Aviv. Abu Bakr Bashir contributed from the UK. Ahmed Abuhamda contributed from Cairo.
