Coffins containing the remains of Israeli hostages being transferred to authorities.

Hamas Returns Israeli Hostage Remains Amid Ongoing Recovery Efforts | AI News Digest

Published: October 16, 2025, 12:13 a.m. Politics Neutral

A recent report indicates that Hamas announced on Wednesday the return of all recoverable remains of Israeli hostages from Gaza. However, the group noted that finding the remaining bodies will require specialized equipment and considerable effort. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that two coffins containing the remains have been handed over to Israeli authorities. The Israel Defense Forces reported that these remains have been forwarded to the National Centre for Forensic Medicine for identification. The situation remains critical, as the return of hostages is a vital aspect of the peace agreement, which stipulates that all hostages must be released by October 13. Despite the recovery of some remains, at least 19 bodies are still missing, raising concerns about adherence to the agreement. U.S. officials have pointed to the destruction in Gaza as a significant hurdle in the recovery process, while Israeli authorities have voiced frustration over perceived delays in the efforts.

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