Israel says Hamas handed over body that’s not former hostage
After overnight forensic tests on four bodies returned by Hamas has sparked a fresh controversy between Israel and the terror group.
Welcome to Wednesday’s (Australia time) live coverage of the Gaza ceasefire and US politics.
Donald Trump arrived back in the US after his lap of honour around the Middle East following the implementation of the Gaza peace deal and the return of the remaining 20 living hostages.
However, the bodies of just sevenof the 28 remaining deceased hostages have been handed over, which has angered Israel and the families of the hostages.
Israel has now claimed that an eighth body that was handed over was not that of a hostage at all, after forensic tests.
The US president has said phase two of the plan is now being thrashed out – that involves longer terms plans such as the future of Hamas, who will run Gaza and how it will be rebuilt.
But phase one has to hold first and the killing has not entirely stopped.
Israel has said it killed three people in Gaza City after it claimed they were approaching its positions. While Israel has retreated, it hasn’t left Gaza.
In addition, Hamas appears to be meting out executions to members of a rival sect in Gaza with gruesome killings seen on the streets.
Away from Gaza, President Trump has fumed over the front page of magazine Time which features his portrait. He said the picture was the “worst of all time”.
He met with Argentinian President Javier Mileli on Tuesday, US time. The Trump administration has just OKd a bail out of the Argentine economy to the tune of $US20 billion, all the while why saying cuts need to be made to domestic government spending.
Mr Trump also posthumously honoured slain right wing commentator Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Read on for more updates from Wednesday.
Originally published as Israel says Hamas handed over body that’s not former hostage
