Vance arrives in Israel as US tries to strengthen Gaza ceasefire deal

US Vice President Kamala Harris has arrived in Israel as part of efforts to strengthen a ceasefire deal amid renewed violence between Israel and Hamas, which has threatened the ongoing 12-day truce. The situation remains tense, with ongoing negotiations regarding the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas is pressing Israel to release prominent Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal related to hostages, although it is unclear if disagreements over the list of prisoners will affect the release of hostages within the agreed 72-hour timeframe. The Israeli military has confirmed that a coffin containing the remains of a deceased hostage is being transported to Israeli troops in Gaza. This marks the return of the 16th body as part of the ceasefire agreement. Additionally, the Israeli military announced the return of the body of a soldier killed in Gaza in 2014 after 11 years. The Red Cross is also involved in retrieving another body of a deceased hostage, further complicating the humanitarian situation in the region. In a related development, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed "until further notice," according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The reopening of this crucial crossing is contingent upon Hamas returning the remains of all 28 dead hostages. This announcement follows previous indications that the crossing might reopen soon, highlighting the fluidity of the situation. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel is obligated to allow humanitarian aid from the United Nations into Gaza, emphasizing Israel's legal responsibilities amid the conflict. The UN humanitarian chief has urged Israel to open more crossings into Gaza, as reports indicate that Palestinians are stockpiling food due to fears of a potential collapse of the ceasefire. The humanitarian situation for civilians in Gaza remains precarious, with families facing separation and uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict.