Officials say no leverage to force Hamas to return fallen, blaming US for limiting military response
Despite Hamas handing over hostage bodies, Israel says crisis 'far from resolved'
Israeli officials say the deal has no real leverage to force Hamas to return the fallen, leaving families in anguish and blaming US pressure for limiting Israel’s military response
Israeli frustration over US restraint
Hamas’ violations have continued even as the agreement’s first phase was completed last week. The latest handover followed a series of breaches, including sniper and anti-tank fire in Rafah that killed Israeli reservist Efi Feldbaum. Earlier, Hamas returned additional remains of fallen soldier Ofir Tzarfati, forcing his family to reopen his grave for the third time after the group staged a fake rescue operation.
Israeli officials said the agreement lacks real leverage or incentives to compel Hamas to return the remaining bodies, leaving bereaved families in anguish as they wait for closure.
Behind the scenes, officials in Jerusalem expressed frustration with what they described as “American constraints” preventing a stronger Israeli military response. “The Americans are managing the event,” one Israeli source said, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s options are limited.
Although U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed the importance of returning the fallen, Israeli officials said his administration has not permitted a resumption of full-scale combat in Gaza. Even Israeli airstrikes in response to Hamas violations were carried out only after coordination with Washington.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who visited Israel and the American command center in Kiryat Gat last week, said it was “not certain” Hamas was responsible for the sniper attack that killed Feldbaum — a comment that drew sharp criticism in Jerusalem.
U.S. veto on Israeli moves
Following the Rafah incident, Israel’s security cabinet discussed potential “sanctions” on Hamas, including a limited advance beyond the so-called “yellow line” established under the agreement. But the move was vetoed by the Trump administration after consultations with Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Israel’s main liaison to Washington.
“It’s become routine,” one Israeli official said. “Hamas violates the deal, Israel threatens retaliation, and then Washington blocks it.”
Continued US oversight
Amid the tension, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dan Caine arrived in Israel as part of what Israeli officials have informally called the “Bibi-sitter” mission — reflecting Washington’s close supervision of Israeli operations in Gaza. Kane is expected to oversee implementation of the Trump plan and ensure there are no unilateral Israeli actions.
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