Hamas has transferred three coffins it states contain the bodies of deceased Gaza hostages. The coffins were delivered to Israel via the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip and have been transported for formal identification. This action follows a US-brokered ceasefire deal that included provisions for the return of both living and deceased hostages.
Hostage Returns and Identification
Hamas delivered three coffins, stating they contain the remains of deceased Gaza hostages, according to the Israeli military. Israel has received these coffins through the Red Cross and moved them to Israel for formal identification processes. Hamas's armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, reported that the remains were located earlier on Sunday "along the route of one of the tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip."
If these remains are confirmed as deceased hostages, eight Israeli and foreign deceased hostages would remain in Gaza. Prior to this delivery, 11 deceased hostages were reported to be in Gaza, consisting of nine Israelis, one Tanzanian, and one Thai national.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official X account stated that all hostages' families had been updated and that the effort to return all hostages was ongoing.
Ceasefire Deal and Exchanges
Under the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire deal with Israel, which commenced last month, Hamas agreed to return 20 living and 28 dead hostages. Israel has accused Hamas of being slow to return the deceased hostages, while Hamas has stated it is working to recover bodies trapped under rubble in the territory.
The first phase of the ceasefire included the release of all living Israeli hostages on October 13, in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza. Israel has also handed over the bodies of 225 Palestinians in exchange for 15 Israeli and two foreign deceased hostages (one Thai, one Nepalese) returned by Hamas.
Recent Incidents and Context
Both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. On Sunday, the Hamas-run health ministry reported an Israeli air strike killed a man in northern Gaza. The Israeli military stated it had struck a militant posing a threat to its soldiers.
All but one of the deceased hostages still in Gaza were among the 251 individuals abducted during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Approximately 1,200 other people were killed during that attack. Israel responded by launching a military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in more than 68,500 deaths, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.