Hamas Transfers Remains of Hostages to Red Cross Amid Ceasefire Efforts

Israel’s military announced that Hamas has handed over “two coffins of deceased hostages” to the Red Cross in Gaza. This transfer, which took place late on Saturday, is part of ongoing efforts to facilitate a ceasefire aimed at ending two years of conflict. The names of the deceased hostages have not yet been released. In recent days, Hamas has returned the remains of 10 out of the 28 hostages believed to have died while in captivity.

The Israeli government is pressing Hamas to expedite the return of the remains. In response, Hamas claims that the devastation caused by the conflict, along with unexploded ordnance and Israeli military control in certain areas, is hindering the process. As these negotiations unfold, Israel continues to return the remains of Palestinians, identified only by numbers, which has raised concerns among families seeking closure.

Rafah Border Crossing Remains Closed

In a related development, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed “until further notice,” according to Israeli officials. This decision follows an earlier announcement from the Palestinian embassy in Egypt, which stated that the crossing would reopen on Monday for those returning to Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office clarified that the reopening of Rafah is contingent on Hamas fulfilling its commitments concerning the remains of the dead hostages.

Hamas has indicated that it will hand over two additional remains, although it has not disclosed their identities. The return of these remains is a critical component of the ceasefire agreement, which also includes provisions for humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, a territory that has faced significant devastation.

The Rafah crossing is the only border point not under Israeli control, having been closed since May 2024. A fully operational crossing would enable Gazans to access medical care, travel, and reconnect with family members in Egypt, where tens of thousands of Palestinians reside.

Humanitarian Concerns and Casualty Figures

On the ground, families in Gaza express anxiety over the identification of remains. The Health Ministry in Gaza has been posting images of unidentified bodies online, hoping relatives will come forward. One mother, Iman Sakani, whose son went missing during the war, expressed her grief, stating, “Just like they took their captives, we want our captives. Bring me my son, bring all our kids back.”

As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel returned 15 bodies of Palestinians to Gaza on Saturday, bringing the total number of bodies returned to 135. The toll in Gaza has surpassed 68,000, according to the Health Ministry, with thousands still reported missing. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its casualty counts, though its records are generally regarded as reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Israel has disputed these figures without providing its own estimates.

The conflict, which escalated after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people—primarily civilians—and abducted 251 individuals during an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in widespread devastation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he would support a resumption of hostilities if Hamas does not return the remains of all deceased hostages. Hamas maintains that its commitment to the ceasefire is strong, but the retrieval of remains is complicated by the ongoing destruction and the presence of unexploded ordnance in areas controlled by Israeli forces.

The hostage advocacy group supporting families of the abducted individuals has pledged to continue weekly rallies until all hostages are returned. “We will bring back all the deceased hostages!” exclaimed Einav Zangauker, the mother of a recently returned hostage, during a rally in Tel Aviv.

In addition to the hostage situation, Hamas has urged mediators to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where approximately 2 million people are in dire need. The ongoing closure of borders and restrictions on aid organizations continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

According to U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, large portions of Gaza have become uninhabitable. Data released by the U.N. indicated that only 339 aid trucks have been distributed since the ceasefire began, whereas the agreement stipulated that about 600 trucks per day should be allowed into Gaza.

While Israel claims to have permitted sufficient aid into Gaza, it has accused Hamas of misappropriating resources. The United Nations and various aid organizations dispute this assertion, highlighting the dire conditions faced by the population.

The situation remains tense, as Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by conducting attacks that have resulted in additional Palestinian casualties. On Friday, Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that nine individuals, including women and children, were killed when their vehicle was struck by Israeli fire in Gaza City. Israel’s military stated that the vehicle posed an “imminent threat” as it approached troops in an area deemed sensitive.

As the ceasefire process continues, the situation in Gaza and the fate of the hostages remain critical points of contention in the ongoing conflict.