Israel announced on Monday that the Red Cross had delivered the body of another deceased hostage from Gaza to the Israeli military, as per a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office. This development suggests that there are still 12 hostages’ remains in Gaza, with Hamas facing challenges in locating them amidst the aftermath of the conflict.
The retrieval and transfer of deceased hostages’ bodies in Gaza have proven to be a significant hurdle in President Donald Trump’s Gaza strategy. A spokesperson from the Israeli government mentioned that the militant group is aware of the whereabouts of the bodies.
In a recent move, Israel permitted an Egyptian technical team to collaborate with the Red Cross in the search for the bodies. The team will utilize excavators and trucks to explore areas beyond the designated yellow line in Gaza, where Israeli forces initially withdrew under Trump’s plan.
The ongoing process of recovering the hostages’ bodies has been a focal point, with funerals held for those whose remains have been repatriated from Gaza. Israel continues to urge Hamas to return the bodies of the remaining 19 hostages, citing the need for heavy machinery for access. So far, nine hostages’ bodies have been returned.