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The Israeli military said it received the remains of one of the last four hostages held in Gaza on Thursday, as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
“The coffin of the deceased hostage, escorted by IDF troops, crossed the border into the State of Israel a short while ago and is on its way to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine, where identification procedures will be carried out,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted on X.
Official identification would first be communicated to the hostage families, the IDF said.
The Red Cross has reported that it has taken possession of a coffin from a designated meeting point in Gaza. This development came amid calls for Hamas to honor its commitments and ensure the return of all deceased hostages. The Red Cross emphasized the importance of adhering to the agreement to facilitate the proper repatriation of the bodies.
Islamic Jihad, which is allied with Hamas, said the body was recovered in the city of Khan Younis, in the enclave’s south.
While Hamas confirmed the transfer in a brief statement, it chose not to disclose the identity of the body. The lack of specific details has left many questions unanswered, as authorities and families await further clarification on the identity of the deceased. This transfer marks a crucial step in ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian concerns surrounding the hostages.
Under an October ceasefire deal, Hamas released all 20 surviving hostages still held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including around 1,700 wartime detainees held by Israel without charge.
The return of deceased hostages has been a slower process. Hamas said it needed heavy machinery and excavating equipment to locate bodies buried under rubble.
The issue has cast a shadow over the ceasefire agreement, which was the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war.
— With additional reporting from AAP and Agence France-Presse
