Israel announced Monday that the Red Cross transferred the body of a deceased hostage from Gaza to its military, marking another step in the fraught process of recovering remains amid ongoing tensions. The Israeli prime minister's office confirmed the handover, though the identity of the hostage is pending verification. If confirmed, 12 bodies would still remain unaccounted for in Gaza, according to Israeli officials.
Hamas’ armed wing claimed earlier Monday it had retrieved a hostage’s body, citing challenges in locating remains due to widespread rubble from the conflict. The group has repeatedly blamed Israel’s military operations for complicating recovery efforts. Meanwhile, an Israeli government spokesperson accused Hamas of knowing the bodies’ locations but delaying their return.
The issue has become a sticking point in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which aims to de-escalate regional hostilities. On Sunday, Israel permitted an Egyptian technical team to assist the Red Cross in searching areas beyond the 'yellow line'—a zone where Israeli troops have partially withdrawn under the Trump-backed initiative. The team is using heavy machinery to comb through debris.
As families await closure, the delicate process highlights the human toll of the conflict. 🌍💔 Will cooperation prevail, or will politics delay justice? Stay tuned for updates.
