The United Nations' top aid official visited Gaza to assess the enormous challenges of restoring basic services in the war-torn territory, where cities have been reduced to rubble after years of conflict. While hundreds of aid trucks are now entering Gaza daily through Israeli checkpoints, the United Nations is urging for the reopening of the Rafah crossing to Egypt to further speed up the delivery of essential supplies. Relief coordinator Tom Fletcher described the devastation as 'absolutely devastating' and outlined a 60-day plan to provide food, shelter, and restore health and sanitation systems for the millions affected.
Meanwhile, Hamas has returned the last surviving hostages and begun handing over the remains of those who died in captivity, including the recently identified Eliyahu Margalit. The ceasefire, now in its second week, has allowed some displaced residents to return, but many face dire conditions and a lack of basic infrastructure. Both sides remain under pressure to fulfill the terms of the truce, with ongoing calls for the return of all hostages and the reopening of vital border crossings.