Tel Aviv / Gaza City
Tensions are rising once again between Israel and Hamas after the remains of several hostages were returned under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal but one of the recently transferred bodies was found not to belong to any of the identified hostages, sparking outrage and confusion on both sides.
According to Israeli officials, the handover of bodies is part of the fragile truce agreement brokered earlier this month, which requires Hamas to return the remains of deceased Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. The latest transfers, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), were carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday through the Rafah crossing.
Conflicting Reports and Renewed Strain
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that forensic testing revealed one of the bodies handed over by Hamas did not match any missing hostages on their list. The revelation has fueled mistrust, with Israeli officials accusing Hamas of “manipulating the ceasefire terms.”
Hamas, however, responded that identifying bodies has become increasingly difficult due to the widespread destruction in Gaza, collapsed tunnels, and limited access to retrieval sites. “Many bodies are unrecognizable or buried deep under debris caused by Israeli bombardment,” a Hamas spokesperson said in a statement.
The Broader Context
The hostage-remains exchange is one of the most sensitive elements of the ceasefire agreement that followed months of intense conflict. Israel believes that 28 hostages who were taken during the October 2023 Hamas attacks are confirmed dead. Of those, 23 have now been returned.
Among the most recent identifications was Itay Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli-American soldier whose remains were confirmed by Israeli authorities on Monday. His family, speaking from Tel Aviv, expressed mixed emotions of grief and relief, saying they “finally have closure after 13 months of uncertainty.”
A Painful but Crucial Process
For Israel, the retrieval of remains is both a moral duty and a matter of national solidarity. For Hamas, it is a diplomatic tool each return signaling compliance with the truce terms while maintaining leverage for prisoner exchanges.
International mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, have been monitoring the process closely. The ICRC confirmed its role as a neutral party, ensuring the safe transfer of remains between the two sides.
Still, the process remains fraught. Many of the returned bodies are severely decomposed, forcing Israel to rely on DNA and dental record testing for confirmation. Officials also said some of the remains are believed to be buried in mass graves under rubble, complicating recovery efforts.
A Fragile Truce Under Pressure
While the ceasefire has reduced active hostilities, sporadic clashes continue on Gaza’s border. Israeli air surveillance has detected small-scale rocket launches despite Hamas’ formal commitment to halt attacks.
The discovery of the unidentified body has added pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces public criticism from hostage families demanding faster progress and transparency. Protesters gathered outside the Knesset this week, urging the government to “bring everyone home living or dead.”
In Gaza, the atmosphere remains tense. Residents hope that the ongoing exchange will lead to more humanitarian aid and reconstruction support, but skepticism persists as both sides accuse each other of violations.
Reactions from Around the World
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the latest handover “a necessary but heartbreaking step,” reaffirming U.S. support for the ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the United Nations expressed concern that delays in body identification could reignite violence. “Each unverified return threatens the fragile calm,” said UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland.
The Road Ahead
Despite the setbacks, diplomatic sources say both sides remain committed at least publicly to maintaining the ceasefire until the last of the agreed remains are recovered. However, analysts warn that growing mistrust and political pressure on both leaderships could derail the process at any moment.
As Israel continues forensic testing and Hamas faces mounting internal pressure to comply fully, the ceasefire stands as one of the most delicate balancing acts in the region’s recent history. Each handover and each mistake now carries the weight of international scrutiny and the grief of families still waiting for closure.
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