Israel has received “small remains, pieces” of a body from Hamas through the Red Cross, though officials say the remains do not belong to the two known hostages whose bodies are still held in Gaza: Master Sgt. Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.
The remains were transferred to the IDF, examined, and then brought to the Abu Kabir forensic institute for identification. Palestinian media reported they were found near Beit Lahiya.
Over seven weeks of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, 26 bodies of deceased hostages have been returned, though without a fixed timetable. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement requires Hamas to return all hostages, alive or deceased, in exchange for a phased IDF withdrawal and eventual establishment of a transitional governing body in Gaza.
Qatar, a key mediator, says it hopes Israel and Hamas can soon advance to “stage two” of negotiations.
