Hamas has handed over a coffin containing what it states are human remains to the Red Cross, which will be transferred to Israeli forces for identification. This action aligns with the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which began nearly a month ago. The deal stipulated the return of all 20 living and 28 deceased Israeli and foreign hostages within 72 hours. Israel has accused Hamas of intentionally delaying the recovery of deceased hostages' bodies, while Hamas maintains it faces challenges locating them under rubble.
Latest Transfer of Remains
The Israeli military confirmed that Hamas handed over a coffin to the Red Cross, claiming it contains the body of a deceased hostage. These remains are expected to be transferred to Israeli forces, who will transport them to the National Centre of Foreign Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification. If these latest remains are confirmed to be those of a deceased hostage, six additional deceased individuals, including Israelis and foreign nationals, would still be unaccounted for in Gaza.
Ceasefire Agreement and Exchanges
Under the initial phase of the US-brokered ceasefire deal, Hamas agreed to return all hostages. All remaining living Israeli hostages were released on October 13 in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza. Israel has also exchanged the bodies of 300 Palestinians for the bodies of Israeli hostages and two foreign hostages, one Thai and one Nepalese.
Return of Itay Chen's Remains
On Tuesday, the remains of Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen, 19, were returned. Staff Sgt. Chen was a soldier in the IDF's 7th Brigade. The IDF stated that he was killed inside a tank during a battle in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and his body was subsequently taken to Gaza by Hamas as a hostage.
Impact on Peace Plan and Search Efforts
The ongoing process of returning hostages has impacted the progression of the second phase of a Gaza peace plan. This phase includes provisions for Gaza's governance, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the disarmament of Hamas, and reconstruction efforts. Israel has permitted members of Palestinian armed groups and Red Cross staff to search for remains in areas under Israeli control.
Conflict Overview
Most 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, an event during which approximately 1,200 other people were killed. Following this, Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza. According to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, over 68,800 people have been killed during this campaign.