Hamas announced on Wednesday that it has completed the transfer of all Israeli hostage remains it could recover from Gaza, although extensive efforts and specialized equipment are still needed to locate the remaining bodies. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed it received two additional coffins containing the remains of deceased hostages, which were then handed over to Israeli authorities as indicated in a joint statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli Security Agency.
The IDF reiterated the importance of Hamas adhering to the agreement to return all hostages, stating, “Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the hostages.” The ongoing negotiations form part of a broader peace initiative, which stipulates that Hamas must hand over all remaining hostages — including 20 living individuals and 28 deceased — by the deadline of Monday, October 13.
Despite Hamas returning the 20 living hostages by the stipulated deadline, reports indicate that only four deceased Israeli captives’ remains were initially surrendered, with additional remains subsequently transferred. However, the IDF has clarified that one of those was not a hostage, leaving 19 remains still unaccounted for.
A senior U.S. adviser noted, “Nobody is getting left behind,” highlighting the challenge posed by the widespread destruction in Gaza, which complicates the search for remains. The U.S. has begun sharing intelligence with Hamas to aid in the recovery efforts, and Turkey has offered to assist by sending specialized teams experienced in locating remains following earthquakes.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reacted strongly to the initial handover of just four remains, characterizing it as a violation of the agreement and warning of potential responses to any further delays. Additionally, both the Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum and Israel’s defense minister have called for the entire peace deal to be paused until all hostages’ remains are returned.
While there are significant obstacles to the peace plan — including Hamas’s refusal to disarm — U.S. advisers have emphasized the need for patience during ongoing recovery efforts, asserting the deal has not yet been violated according to their assessments. Despite these challenges, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution, emphasizing that the disarmament of Hamas is a crucial condition for any lasting peace.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to navigate a complex landscape of negotiations and conditions aimed at resolving this deep-seated conflict.