Israel has received two bodies that Hamas claims are deceased hostages previously held in Gaza. The Israeli military reported that the Red Cross facilitated the transfer of these coffins from Hamas to Israeli troops in Palestinian territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the coffins, escorted by military personnel, have crossed into Israel and will undergo formal identification in Tel Aviv.
If confirmed, this transfer would mean Hamas has delivered 15 of the 28 deceased Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement established earlier this month. The initial phase of the agreement led to the release of all 20 living hostages shortly after it was enacted.
In prior hostage transfers, Hamas had also returned a Palestinian body, which it described as an accidental inclusion due to challenges in locating all bodies. The IDF has advised the public to approach the situation with sensitivity, emphasizing that official identifications will be provided first to the families of the hostages. The IDF reiterated that Hamas must fulfill its obligations under the agreement and ensure the return of all deceased hostages.
Israeli officials stated that family members will be informed once the identities of the bodies are confirmed. There has been significant concern among the Israeli public regarding the delay in returning all deceased hostages to their families. Hamas has asserted that it is making efforts to locate and return the bodies, citing difficulties posed by the rubble of buildings damaged in Israeli attacks.
The ceasefire and hostage release deal includes provisions where Israel has released 250 Palestinian prisoners and repatriated 1,718 detainees while returning 15 Palestinian bodies for each Israeli hostage. The agreement has also resulted in increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a cessation of hostilities; however, violence has escalated recently, with both sides accusing one another of violating the terms. The IDF’s military operations in Gaza began following a significant attack on October 7, 2023, attributed to Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals in southern Israel and the abduction of 251 others.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd675jygwp1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss