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\n Palestinians cross a flooded street following heavy rain in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Dec. 11.
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Abdel Kareem Hana\/AP<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Abdel Kareem Hana\/AP<\/p>\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n TEL AVIV, Israel \u2014 Efforts to recover the body of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza have been hindered by heavy rains and bad weather in the enclave, according to an Israeli official who spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.<\/p>\n “Search operations and continued sweeps have been coordinated, but are currently delayed due to weather conditions in the northern Gaza Strip,” the official said.<\/p>\n The official told NPR that the search efforts are “expected to resume as soon as ground conditions allow.”<\/p>\n The beginning of phase two of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement is on hold, until the last body is transferred to Israeli authorities by Hamas.<\/p>\n