Israel receives remains of another hostage from Gaza, Red Cross facilitates handover

Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip — Israel has received the remains of another hostage from Gaza, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Friday. The handover, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), came as Hamas continued to search for bodies under the rubble in an effort to uphold the terms of the current ceasefire.

The Israeli military and security services said the coffin, delivered by the Red Cross inside Gaza, would be sent to the Ministry of Health’s National Center for Forensic Medicine for identification. Authorities said the family of the deceased would be notified after the process is completed.

Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, described the recovered body as that of an “occupation prisoner,” suggesting the remains belonged to an Israeli national. Under the ceasefire agreement, the return of hostages’ remains has been one of the key conditions, alongside the entry of humanitarian aid, the reopening of Gaza’s border crossings, and early reconstruction efforts.

Hamas stated it remains committed to the deal. Over the past week, the group has turned over the remains of nine hostages, as well as a tenth body that Israeli officials said was not among those held captive.

The recovery efforts follow warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Israel would be permitted to resume military operations if Hamas failed to return all hostages’ bodies, totaling 28. Israeli military and intelligence officials reiterated that “Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages.”

Hamas has blamed delays on Israel, saying many of the bodies are buried under rubble created by Israeli strikes and that new bulldozers have not been allowed into Gaza. Much of the territory’s heavy machinery was destroyed in the war that began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. On Friday, two bulldozers were seen digging through debris in Khan Younis’ Hamad City as part of ongoing search operations.

Beyond the recovery of remains, Hamas has urged mediators to push for more aid deliveries, the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and the start of reconstruction. The group also called for the formation of a committee of Palestinian independents to govern Gaza and for continued Israeli troop withdrawals from certain areas.

Under the ceasefire plan introduced by President Trump, all hostages, both living and deceased, were to be returned by a deadline earlier this week. Although that deadline passed, Hamas agreed to share information on missing individuals and continue recovery efforts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “will not compromise” and demanded Hamas meet all obligations under the ceasefire deal.

Hamas has told intermediaries that efforts to locate and return bodies are complicated by unexploded ordnance and the extensive destruction in the enclave. Some remains, it said, lie in areas still under Israeli control.

Earlier this week, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum in Israel said it will continue to hold weekly rallies until all remains are returned.

Israel has also returned the bodies of 90 Palestinians for burial in Gaza, with more expected. A Palestinian forensics team examining the remains reported some bodies showed signs of mistreatment.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas, nearly 68,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, while thousands remain missing. The Red Cross has confirmed that many are still trapped under collapsed buildings.

France announced it is working with the United States and Britain to propose a U.N. resolution that would authorize an international force for Gaza. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said Arab countries want the force to operate under a U.N. mandate, with several expected to contribute troops trained in Egypt.

Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire. The U.N. said only 339 trucks of aid have been distributed since the ceasefire began, far below the 600 trucks per day agreed upon in the deal. Israel’s COGAT agency reported higher numbers, citing 950 trucks entering Thursday and 716 on Wednesday, including commercial shipments.

Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian aid chief, visited a World Food Program bakery in Deir al-Balah on Friday, saying U.N. teams were implementing a 60-day plan to “massively ramp up aid.” The WFP said it has delivered over 280 trucks carrying 3,000 metric tons of food supplies since last Saturday.

Gaza’s truckers’ union reported that 70 trucks entered the enclave on Thursday, noting that improved security has reduced looting but that overall supplies remain insufficient.

The United Nations says famine persists in parts of Gaza, with over 400 confirmed deaths linked to malnutrition, including more than 100 children. Israel maintains it has allowed enough aid into the enclave, accusing Hamas of diverting supplies, a claim the U.N. and other aid agencies deny.