Israel-Hamas war: Body of presumed hostage found near Gaza

Israel says the body of a man presumed to have been taken hostage was found near Gaza.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry says on Monday that Hamas received a cease-fire proposal presented by US President Joe Biden "in a positive way." 

Here's a look at the latest developments regarding the Israel-Hamas war and  its impact on the Middle East region on Monday, June 3

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

UN rights experts urge recognition of Palestinian statehood

A group of UN human rights experts and special rapporteurs called on "all countries" to recognize Palestinian statehood and "use all political and diplomatic resources at their disposal to bring about an immediate cease-fire in Gaza." 

Spain, Norway and Ireland last week joined the majority of UN member states in recognizing Palestinian statehood. 

"This recognition is an important acknowledgment of the rights of the Palestinian people and their struggles and suffering toward freedom and independence," the experts said in a statement published by the UN human rights office (OHCHR). 

"This is a pre-condition for lasting peace in Palestine and the entire Middle East — beginning with the immediate declaration of a cease-fire in Gaza and no further military incursions into Rafah." 

There was no immediate Israeli response to the statement, although Israeli officials reacted angrily to the recognition by three European countries last week. Israel has previously accused the OHCHR of bias. 

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

Israel says remains of presumed hostage found near Gaza

Israel's military said the body of a presumed hostage was found in a village bordering Gaza that was attacked by militants during the Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7. 

Dolev Yehud, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was thought to be held hostage in Gaza.

The 35-year-old was a volunteer medic whose wife gave birth to their fourth child nine days after the October 7 attacks, according to the Israeli military. 

A total of around 250 people were taken hostage in the attacks. Yehud's 28-year-old sister, Arbel, is believed to be one of them, according to the family. 

Israel estimates some 120 of the hostages are still in Gaza. Dozens were freed in a cease-fire deal in November and 39 have been declared dead in absentia by Israel, based on witness testimony, forensics and intelligence analysis.

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

Egypt hopeful for truce after Hamas reacts to plan in 'positive way'

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Cairo was continuing to work with mediators US and Qatar to "motivate" Israel and Hamas to accept a cease-fire offer presented by US President Joe Biden. 

"The initial statements from Hamas is that [the group] received the plan in a positive way. We are now waiting for the response from Israel," Shoukry said in a press conference with his Spanish counterpart. 

Shoukry's remarks come a day after White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington had "every expectation that if Hamas agrees to the proposal... that Israel would say yes."

On Friday, Biden presented what he called an Israeli three-phase plan that would halt the fighting, free all hostages and lead to the reconstruction of Gaza — without Hamas in power. 

The US, Qatar and Egypt later said they called "on both Hamas and Israel to finalize the agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Joe Biden."

The stated goal of Israel's retaliatory invasion of Gaza is to "destroy Hamas" after the deadly Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7 killed some 1,200 people. Over 36,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel started its military operation there, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry.

Israel, the US, the EU and several other countries classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. 

fb/sms (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)