Israel stated on Saturday that the three bodies handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza were not those of hostages, adding a new complication to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The handover came after Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza, completing an exchange that began when militants previously handed over two hostages’ remains.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the three bodies did not belong to any hostages, leaving their identities unknown. Hamas’ armed wing mentioned offering samples of unidentified bodies on Friday, but Israel declined and requested the remains for examination to verify their identities.
Families and supporters in Tel Aviv gathered once again on Saturday night, demanding the return of all hostages. Since the ceasefire went into effect on October 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 still held in Gaza. The process of releasing bodies has been gradual, with one or two bodies being handed over every few days.
Israel has been exchanging the unidentified remains of 15 Palestinians for each Israeli hostage’s remains. To date, Israel has returned 225 Palestinian bodies since the ceasefire began, but only 75 have been identified by their families according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The fragile truce faced a significant test earlier in the week when Israel launched airstrikes across Gaza, resulting in more than 100 casualties, in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah. Jordan’s foreign minister cautioned on Saturday that Israel’s continued military presence in Gaza jeopardizes the ceasefire.
The U.S. peace plan includes proposals for the formation of an international stabilization force to support Palestinian security efforts in Gaza. General Dan Caine, the visiting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held discussions with Israeli officials regarding the peace plan.
Indonesia has expressed willingness to contribute thousands of troops for Gaza, but details regarding their mandate and terms remain unclear. The country has emphasized the need for a UN Security Council mandate before committing troops.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with the 2023 Hamas-led attack, has been the deadliest and most destructive so far, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages. The situation remains complex with ongoing discussions about security arrangements, humanitarian aid, and the governance of postwar Gaza.
