Israel says its military recovered the bodies of two hostages, including Ilan Weiss of Kibbutz Be’eri, and returned them to the country. Weiss was killed in the 7 October attack that sparked the war, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Officials confirmed the other hostage remains unnamed. Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas‑led militants almost 22 months ago, about 50 remain in Gaza, including around 20 believed to be alive.

Israel paused fighting in Gaza City last month to allow food and aid into the enclave from 10:00 to 20:00 local time. The pauses, described as tactical, were applied to Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people shelter. The moves come as Israel prepares a broader ground offensive and mobilises tens of thousands of troops to seize Gaza City. The army has not said whether residents or aid groups were notified about plans to resume daytime hostilities.

The United Nations warned that Gaza could lose half of its hospital bed capacity if an invasion goes ahead. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said hunger, driven by fighting and the blockade, has reached famine thresholds. The Norwegian Refugee Council, which coordinates aid groups in Gaza, said deliveries had become more difficult ahead of the planned offensive, with spokesperson Shaina Low saying: “We have faced unprecedented access and movement restrictions.” “Intensified military operations are going to further hinder our ability respond.”