Four coffins containing deceased hostages have entered Israel through the border, as confirmed by the Israeli military on Tuesday. The bodies are en route to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine for identification procedures, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Earlier on Tuesday, the IDF stated that Red Cross workers had received the bodies in Gaza and were transporting them to Israel. In response to Hamas failing to hand over the remaining hostage bodies as per the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal, Israel reduced the amount of aid allowed into Gaza. Local health authorities in Gaza reported receiving 45 Palestinian bodies detained by Israel.
Israel emphasized that Hamas must honor the agreement and facilitate the return of all hostages. The IDF announced the continued closure of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Wednesday due to Hamas’ failure to comply with the ceasefire terms.
The process of repatriating deceased hostages from Gaza has been slower than anticipated, with Hamas explaining that locating all burial sites in the rubble-strewn area may take time. The Hostages Family Forum condemned Hamas for not returning all the hostage bodies, labeling it a breach of the agreement.
Israeli officials identified two of the deceased hostages returned from Gaza on Monday as Guy Illouz from Israel and Bipin Joshi from Nepal. Illouz succumbed to his injuries due to inadequate medical care while in captivity, while Joshi was reportedly murdered during the early stages of the conflict.
Gaza health authorities received 45 Palestinian bodies from Israel, with the bodies being handled with respect according to Mohammad Zaqout, director general of Gaza hospitals. Families are awaiting the list of names from Israeli authorities for identification purposes.
The ongoing ceasefire was marred by seven reported casualties from Israeli gunfire, despite efforts to maintain peace. Hamas accused Israel of ceasefire violations, while the Israeli military justified its actions against individuals approaching its forces.
As Gaza faces long-term challenges for sustainable peace, questions linger about Hamas disarmament, governance, reconstruction, and the broader issue of Palestinian statehood. International efforts, including a recent summit in Egypt, aim to address these critical issues for Gaza’s future.