Hamas has said the return of the remaining bodies "may take some time" due to the destruction.Latest DevelopmentsOct 24, 9:49 AMRubio says West Bank annexation would 'threaten this whole process'Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Israel's government vote this week to annex the West Bank would "threaten" the peace process,

However, Israel has said it is keeping the crossing closed until Hamas "fulfils" its commitments under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal by returning the bodies of deceased hostages. Israel has kept the Gaza side of the Egyptian border closed since May 2024 when it took control during the war.

The United Nations’ top court issued a legal opinion Wednesday stating that Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to work with UN agencies to facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza, a rebuke of the blockade it imposed on the Palestinian enclave earlier this year.

A collective funeral ceremony was held Wednesday in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, for 54 unidentified Palestinians whose bodies were returned from Israel, the Palestinian Civil Defense (PCD) reported.

Israel launched a wave of attacks on Gaza after accusing Palestinian militants of attacking its forces across cease-fire lines. Both sides say they are still committed to the truce.

Over the past eleven days, 195 bodies have been returned to Gaza by Israeli authorities, in exchange for the bodies of 13 Israeli hostages, under the terms of Donald Trump's ceasefire deal. Two other bodies – those of Nepalese and Thai hostages – have also been returned by Hamas.

Vice President JD Vance said a Knesset vote was an "insult." Secretary of State Marco Rubio planned to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later Thursday.

The International Court of Justice said Israel must work with U.N. agencies, including UNRWA, the group for Palestinian refugees, which Israel has banned.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is seeking to ease concerns in Israel that the Trump administration is dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East.