TEL AVIV: Hamas has returned the bodies of four more deceased hostages, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Red Cross transported the remains in coffins and delivered them to the Israeli military late Tuesday night.
This transfer followed an Israeli warning that it would limit humanitarian aid to Gaza until Hamas returns the remains of all 28 confirmed deceased hostages. On Monday, Hamas had released 24 hostages—20 alive and four dead.
Meanwhile, the Red Cross also confirmed that the bodies of 45 Palestinians who had died in Israeli custody were returned to Gaza on Tuesday, according to BBC.
A ceasefire plan, brokered by the U.S. and accepted by both sides, called for the return of all 48 hostages by noon on Monday. While all surviving hostages have been handed over, tensions remain high over the 20 deceased hostages whose remains Hamas has yet to return.
In a statement, the IDF emphasized that Hamas must honor its commitment and do what is necessary to return all hostages to their families for proper burial. Israel’s defense minister warned that any delays or attempts to evade the agreement would be seen as serious violations and met with consequences.
Israeli officials have since decided to restrict aid into Gaza and postpone the reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, citing Hamas’s failure to comply with the ceasefire terms. Hamas has claimed it is facing difficulties in locating the remains of the deceased hostages.
(Inputs from BBC)
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