The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that the remains of a hostage have been returned from Gaza and are now in Israel. This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began on October 10, 2023. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the body will be transferred to the Health Ministry’s National Center for Forensic Medicine for identification.
Prior to this announcement, Hamas had handed over the remains of 20 hostages to Israel as part of the ceasefire agreement. If the latest remains are confirmed through forensic testing, seven other sets of remains will still be in Gaza. The process of returning the bodies of remaining hostages has not progressed quickly; Hamas has released only one or two bodies every few days, citing challenges due to the extensive destruction caused by Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Earlier on the same day, Hamas’s military wing stated that it had found the body of an Israeli soldier in Gaza and planned to hand over the remains. However, the Israeli military did not confirm whether the remains received were those of a soldier. The Israeli government has urged for expedited returns and indicated that in some instances, the remains may not be those of hostages.
Families of the hostages have expressed frustration, accusing Hamas of delaying the process. They have threatened to resume military operations or restrict humanitarian aid if all remains are not returned promptly. Hamas has responded, emphasizing the complexity of the situation, with many remains believed to be buried under rubble.
For every Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians. To date, the remains of 270 Palestinians have been returned under the current ceasefire, with less than half having been identified. The forensic identification process faces complications due to a shortage of DNA testing kits in Gaza. The Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, has been posting images of the remains online in hopes that families will recognize their loved ones.
The ongoing conflict was ignited by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched a military offensive that has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 68,800 Palestinians. This figure is provided by the Hamas-run Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Despite this, the Israeli government has contested these figures, denying allegations of genocide made by a United Nations commission of inquiry and others, while not offering an alternative death toll.
As the ceasefire continues to hold, the deadliest conflict ever fought between Israel and Hamas has shown signs of winding down. Nevertheless, tensions have re-emerged, with Israel accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces reiterated last week their commitment to uphold the ceasefire agreement, stating they would respond decisively to any violations.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments likely to impact the humanitarian landscape and the families caught in this tragic conflict.
