Israel Retrieves Body of Tanzanian Hostage as Tensions Flare in Gaza
The remains of Tanzanian student Joshua Mollel, killed in the October 7 Hamas attack, were returned to Israel as violence flared in central Gaza despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire.
- Israel retrieves body of Tanzanian hostage Joshua Mollel killed in Hamas’ 2023 attack
- Two Palestinians shot dead by Israeli forces amid fragile ceasefire
- US pushes UN resolution to back Trump’s Gaza peace and stabilisation plan
Israel has received the body of Tanzanian student Joshua Loitu Mollel, who was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and taken into Gaza. Forensic identification confirmed his remains, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced.
Mollel, aged 21, was participating in an agricultural internship program in Israel before his death. The return of his body brings the number of deceased hostages still held in Gaza to six.
His remains were handed over by Hamas’ armed wing, the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, to the Red Cross near Gaza City, before being transferred to Israeli authorities.
Meanwhile, two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces in central Gaza after reportedly crossing into a restricted area and approaching troops “in a threatening manner.” Gaza health officials also reported another Palestinian killed by Israeli fire while collecting firewood, though the Israeli military said it was unaware of that incident.
Despite near-daily tensions, hostage returns have continued under a US-brokered ceasefire implemented on October 10, aimed at halting over two years of conflict.
As part of a wider peace framework proposed by US President Donald Trump, Hamas has released all 20 surviving hostages in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian detainees. The group has pledged to hand over the remains of 28 deceased hostages, though it cites ongoing devastation as a major obstacle.
In a related development, the United States has circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution to support Trump’s peace plan, which includes deploying an International Stabilisation Force led primarily by Arab and Muslim nations to oversee Gaza’s security during an Israeli withdrawal.
The draft also welcomes the formation of a “Board of Peace”, a transitional governing council for Gaza envisioned under Trump’s 20-point peace initiative. Discussions are ongoing with regional powers including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, while Turkey’s intelligence chief hosted a Hamas delegation in Istanbul to ensure smooth implementation of the ceasefire and next steps in the peace process.
