Hamas handed over the body of a deceased Israeli hostage to the Red Cross on Monday night, which then transferred the remains to Israeli authorities for identification — the first such handover in nearly a week.
Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire signed October 10, Hamas was required to return 48 hostages, living and deceased, within 72 hours. While 20 living hostages were released, 13 bodies remain in Gaza.
The returned remains were discovered in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood, according to Al Jazeera. The IDF received the coffin inside Gaza, draped it in an Israeli flag, and held a short military ceremony before transferring it to Tel Aviv’s forensic institute.
Israel accuses Hamas of withholding bodies deliberately, including those of fallen soldiers Lt. Hadar Goldin and Col. Asaf Hamami, who hold symbolic significance. Hamas denies this, blaming wartime chaos for the delay.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called recovering every hostage “a sacred mission,” while the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged Israel and the U.S. not to advance peace talks until all remains are returned.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled growing impatience, warning Hamas via Truth Social that Washington is “watching closely.” Israel is reportedly considering moving its ceasefire line westward to pressure Hamas if compliance does not improve.
