Israel has received the body of another hostage from Gaza, the military said early Saturday, amid ongoing disputes over delays in returning remains under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The Red Cross handed over the coffin to Israeli forces inside Gaza, and it was scheduled to be sent to the National Center for Forensic Medicine for formal identification. Families of the deceased will be notified after the process is completed.
Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, indicated that the remains belonged to an “occupation prisoner,” suggesting the body was of an Israeli rather than one of the other hostages of different nationalities held in Gaza. This marks the 10th deceased hostage Israel has received out of the 28 bodies reportedly held by Hamas. The group has cited technical challenges, saying heavy machinery is needed to recover bodies buried under rubble from bombed buildings.
On Friday, two bulldozers worked in Hamad city, a complex of apartment towers in Khan Younis, to locate hostages’ remains. Many of the towers were destroyed during Israeli airstrikes and a week-long Israeli raid in March 2024. A Turkish team of specialists was waiting for Israeli approval to enter Gaza and assist in locating both Palestinian and hostage remains. Officials said the team may be allowed access by Sunday.
Israel has said that Hamas is aware of the hostages’ locations and warned that time is running out for the group to complete the handovers. Hamas maintains its commitment to the ceasefire and to returning all remaining hostages. In exchange, Israel has returned the bodies of 90 Palestinians for burial and plans to release more, though exact numbers have not been disclosed.
The delays have strained the ceasefire, which is part of a broader 20-point plan by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed concern at a news conference in Ankara, questioning whether Israel might use Hamas’ difficulties in recovering bodies as an excuse to break the ceasefire. He emphasized that the international community is closely monitoring the situation.
Earlier on Friday, Hamas called on mediators to press for the next steps in the ceasefire, including reopening border crossings, allowing humanitarian aid, starting reconstruction, establishing an administrative system, and completing Israel’s withdrawal.
While large-scale fighting has largely stopped, incidents continue. Gaza’s Civil Defence Service reported that 11 people were killed when Israeli troops fired on a vehicle southeast of Gaza City, including seven children and three women. The Israeli military has not commented, while Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire.
Earlier this week, 20 living hostages taken by Hamas during its October 2023 assault on Israel were returned from Gaza. Israel has also announced plans to reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow Palestinians to move in and out, though no specific date has been given. Other unresolved issues under the ceasefire include the disarmament of militants and the future governance of Gaza.
The return of the latest hostage body highlights the ongoing challenges and sensitivity surrounding the ceasefire, as both sides navigate complex logistical and political obstacles. The process of identifying and returning remains remains critical to maintaining the fragile peace and providing closure for affected families.
