On Monday, Israel received the bodies of four escaped hostages among 28 remains taken by Hamas, but officials say not all belong to the Israeli captives.
Bodies of Four Hostages Returned to Israel
On Monday, while live hostages were being transferred, the Israeli army received four bodies from the 28 held by Hamas. The bodies went to the Israeli army, but Israeli officials said not all were of captured Israelis.
Forensic tests by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine found three are indeed of persons abducted by Hamas.
Israel’s statement demands that Hamas “take all necessary measures to return the bodies of deceased hostages”. The BBC noted a similar mistake earlier in the year when Hamas mistakenly handed over the remains of Shiri Bibas.
Who Were the Hostages?
The first body is that of Uriel Baruch, 35, taken from the Nova music festival. His family was informed in March 2024 that he likely died on 7 October 2023.
The second is 20‑year‑old Tamir Nimrod, an education official from the border crossing Erez, also killed on 7 October.
The third is 53‑year‑old Eitan Levi, a taxi driver from Bat Yam, murdered by armed Hamas fighters near Gaza borders when he was taking a friend to Be’eri.
Agreement Between Hamas and Israel
Under the cease‑fire that began on Friday, 10 October, Hamas pledged to release all living Israeli hostages from Gaza and hand over the remains of all 28 who did not survive.
However, Hamas noted difficulties locating some bodies, claiming they may be buried under rubble of bombed buildings.
Tension in the Gaza Strip
Palestinians fear that delays in returning Israel’s hostages’ bodies could prompt Israel to break the truce, BBC correspondent Rushdi Abualouf reported.
Israel warned it would cut the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering the enclave and delay reopening the Rafah crossing, immediately raising basic goods prices in local markets.
The mother of a six‑child family in Khan Younis said new threats appear as soon as feelings of safety return, fearing the war may reignite. Negotiations in Egypt aim to iron out differences between Hamas and Israel and keep the first phase of the truce on track.
