Israel announced on Sunday that the remains of three hostages were handed over from Gaza, marking another development in the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has held for over a month.
According to a Hamas statement, the remains were found in a tunnel in southern Gaza. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 still believed to be in Gaza before Sunday’s handover.
Hamas Cites Difficult Conditions in Recovery Efforts
Hamas said the process of locating and identifying remains is being slowed by “widespread devastation” in Gaza. The group has been releasing one or two bodies every few days, though Israel has disputed that all remains returned belong to hostages.
Israeli officials confirmed that forensic experts are conducting official identifications, and families of the hostages will be informed before public announcements are made.
Families Continue Weekly Rallies for Hostage Return
Emotions remain high among families awaiting news of their loved ones. In Jerusalem, relatives and supporters continue to gather each week demanding action and restraint.
“This cursed war has taken so many lives of dear people on both sides of the fence. This time, we must not fall into it again,” said Moran Harari, a friend of the late Carmel Gat, during a rally on Saturday night.
Body Exchange Continues Under Ceasefire Agreement
As part of the ongoing humanitarian exchange, Israel has released the remains of 15 Palestinians in return for the remains of one Israeli hostage.
Health officials in Gaza said they face severe challenges identifying bodies due to a lack of DNA testing kits. Of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned since the ceasefire began, only 75 have been identified, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has published photographs in hopes families can recognize their loved ones.
It remains unclear whether the returned Palestinians were killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, died in Israeli custody, or were recovered by Israeli troops during operations in Gaza.
Ceasefire Linked to U.S.-Brokered Peace Plan
The exchange of remains is part of the first phase of a U.S.-brokered 20-point ceasefire plan, which also calls for an international stabilization force led by Arab and regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to help secure Gaza’s borders and maintain peace.
Several nations have expressed interest in joining the peacekeeping mission but insist on a UN Security Council mandate before deploying troops.
Key unresolved issues include Hamas’ disarmament, Gaza’s governance, and expanded humanitarian aid access.
Netanyahu Vows to Eliminate Remaining Hamas Cells
Earlier Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas still operates in pockets of Gaza under Israeli control.
“There are still pockets of Hamas in Rafah and Khan Younis, and they will be eliminated,”
Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting.
The war, which began with the Hamas-led October 7 attack that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, has since become the deadliest conflict ever fought between Israel and Hamas.
Mounting Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 68,800 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict. The ministry, part of Gaza’s Hamas-run administration, is staffed by medical professionals whose casualty data is widely considered credible by independent experts.
Israel, which has rejected UN genocide accusations, disputes the ministry’s numbers but has not released alternative figures.
As international pressure grows, the focus remains on securing the safe return of hostages, strengthening the ceasefire, and addressing the massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
