There’s a growing sense of unease in Gaza as Hamas delays handover of hostages’ bodiespublished at 10:51 BST
10:51 BST
Rushdi Abualouf
Gaza correspondent, in Istanbul
There are concerns in Gaza that Hamas’s delay in locating and transferring the bodies of Israeli hostages could trigger an Israeli response that might jeopardize this fragile ceasefire.
Israel threatened on Tuesday that it would reduce the number of aid trucks entering the enclave and postpone the reopening of the Rafah crossing – a move that immediately pushed up the prices of basic goods in local markets.
Many traders and suppliers began hoarding items to create shortages and drive up profits, fearing that the war could resume, local residents told the BBC.
On the streets of Gaza, many residents voiced fears that these developments could mark the beginning of the end of the truce.
“Every time we start to feel safe, new threats appear, and we fear the war will start all over again,” says mother-of-six Neven Al-Mughrabi, a displaced resident from Gaza who lives in Khan Younis.
“I lost my house in Gaza City, I decided to stay here with my family because I don’t trust the ceasefire and we’re sick of displacement.”
She also says a trader in Khan Younis’s main market said demand for flour, oil and sugar surged within hours. “Despite the sudden rise of prices by about 30%, people are buying as if they don’t trust the calm will last long, everyone is afraid aid will stop,” Neven says.
The growing unease comes as mediators meet in Egypt in a bid to bridge differences between Hamas and Israel, and keep the first phase of the ceasefire deal on track.