Red Cross Receives Remains of Two More Hamas Hostages for Israel
Israeli military confirms transfer, amid ongoing tensions and return of Palestinian bodies under fragile ceasefire agreement.
The Red Cross received the remains of two more Hamas hostages on Wednesday, hours after the Israeli military acknowledged one previously handed over was not a hostage.
This development adds to tensions surrounding the current truce that has temporarily halted the two-year war.
The Israeli military confirmed that the International Committee of the Red Cross received the bodies and they were set to be transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza.
Earlier, military officials indicated that one body previously surrendered by Hamas was not a hostage held in Gaza.
In related news, the Gaza Health Ministry reported receiving 45 more Palestinian bodies from Israel, marking another step towards implementing the ceasefire agreement.
These additional returns bring the total number of bodies returned to Gaza for burial to 90.
Forensic examination of these remains suggested signs of mistreatment.
As part of the truce deal, Hamas handed over four hostage bodies on Tuesday following the return of four the previous day, after releasing the last 20 living hostages from Gaza.
In total, Israel anticipated the return of 28 hostage bodies.
However, forensic testing by the Israeli military revealed that one body handed over by Hamas did not match any known hostage, though no information was provided regarding its origin.
In exchange for these releases, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees on Monday.
The situation remains fluid as to how many more bodies Israel is holding or will return, with unidentified remains showing signs of abuse and possible torture.
Forensic teams at Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital identified only three of the deceased through names provided by the Red Cross, leaving numerous families uncertain about their relatives' fates.
The conflict has claimed nearly 68,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of Hamas' government.
Many more are missing.
Rasmiya Qudeih, 52, anxiously awaited news that her son might be among the returned bodies.
He vanished during the initial Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and she was informed he was killed by an Israeli strike.
She expressed hope that he would be found among the deceased.
The ceasefire agreement, initiated by US President Donald Trump, called for all hostages to be surrendered by a deadline missed on Monday.
However, Hamas committed to sharing information about dead hostages and attempting their return promptly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel's non-negotiation stance regarding these requirements and warned of potential war resumption if Hamas failed to uphold its obligations.
Trump also chimed in, suggesting Israel could resume military operations if Hamas was deemed not fulfilling the agreement terms.
Meanwhile, Hamas' armed wing claimed compliance with ceasefire provisions and the transfer of accessible hostage remains.
The recovery efforts for the dead were described as challenging due to Gaza's extensive destruction, with some areas inaccessible.
Two hostages whose bodies were released from Gaza were buried on Wednesday amidst ongoing uncertainty and emotional turmoil faced by many families.
This development adds to tensions surrounding the current truce that has temporarily halted the two-year war.
The Israeli military confirmed that the International Committee of the Red Cross received the bodies and they were set to be transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza.
Earlier, military officials indicated that one body previously surrendered by Hamas was not a hostage held in Gaza.
In related news, the Gaza Health Ministry reported receiving 45 more Palestinian bodies from Israel, marking another step towards implementing the ceasefire agreement.
These additional returns bring the total number of bodies returned to Gaza for burial to 90.
Forensic examination of these remains suggested signs of mistreatment.
As part of the truce deal, Hamas handed over four hostage bodies on Tuesday following the return of four the previous day, after releasing the last 20 living hostages from Gaza.
In total, Israel anticipated the return of 28 hostage bodies.
However, forensic testing by the Israeli military revealed that one body handed over by Hamas did not match any known hostage, though no information was provided regarding its origin.
In exchange for these releases, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees on Monday.
The situation remains fluid as to how many more bodies Israel is holding or will return, with unidentified remains showing signs of abuse and possible torture.
Forensic teams at Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital identified only three of the deceased through names provided by the Red Cross, leaving numerous families uncertain about their relatives' fates.
The conflict has claimed nearly 68,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of Hamas' government.
Many more are missing.
Rasmiya Qudeih, 52, anxiously awaited news that her son might be among the returned bodies.
He vanished during the initial Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and she was informed he was killed by an Israeli strike.
She expressed hope that he would be found among the deceased.
The ceasefire agreement, initiated by US President Donald Trump, called for all hostages to be surrendered by a deadline missed on Monday.
However, Hamas committed to sharing information about dead hostages and attempting their return promptly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel's non-negotiation stance regarding these requirements and warned of potential war resumption if Hamas failed to uphold its obligations.
Trump also chimed in, suggesting Israel could resume military operations if Hamas was deemed not fulfilling the agreement terms.
Meanwhile, Hamas' armed wing claimed compliance with ceasefire provisions and the transfer of accessible hostage remains.
The recovery efforts for the dead were described as challenging due to Gaza's extensive destruction, with some areas inaccessible.
Two hostages whose bodies were released from Gaza were buried on Wednesday amidst ongoing uncertainty and emotional turmoil faced by many families.
