Hamas transferred the remains of an unidentified Israeli hostage to the Red Cross late Friday, marking the 10th such handover this week under the Gaza peace plan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the transfer, stating the body was escorted to Tel Aviv for forensic identification. Authorities urged the public to await official updates to ensure families are notified first.
This follows Hamas' release of 20 living Israeli hostages earlier in the week, part of a broader exchange that saw Israel free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and pause military operations in Gaza. The ceasefire, initiated after two years of conflict, has allowed recovery teams to retrieve over 280 bodies from Gaza's rubble, according to local civil defense agencies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to securing all hostages, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned of resumed hostilities if Hamas fails to comply. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad dismissed these warnings as “pressure tactics,” emphasizing the logistical challenges of locating bodies amid Gaza’s devastated infrastructure.
The peace plan’s first phase requires Hamas to return 28 bodies. With 10 now transferred, tensions remain high as both sides navigate fragile negotiations and Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
