Hamas hands over remains of three Israeli hostages in Gaza

The Palestinian group Hamas has transferred the remains of three Israeli hostages, which were recovered from the rubble in Gaza, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This action, confirmed by the Israeli army late Sunday, was carried out under the terms of the temporary ceasefire agreement currently in effect between the two sides.

Hamas's Statement on the Handover

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated that the handover by the group's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, reflects their "firm commitment to completing the exchange process." In his statement, Qassem emphasized the need for mediators to pressure Israel to fulfill its own obligations under the Gaza ceasefire deal. The group has cited the extensive destruction in Gaza as a reason the process of locating and returning remains requires significant time.

The Ceasefire and Exchange Framework

This development falls under the first phase of a broader ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal that commenced on October 10. According to figures referenced from the group, Hamas has so far released 20 living Israeli captives and returned the remains of 18 individuals. The agreement also involves the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and outlines plans for Gaza's reconstruction and a new governing mechanism.

A Condition for Further Talks

The Israeli government has linked the commencement of negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire to the complete handover of all hostage remains. This comes amid a backdrop of a military campaign in Gaza that has resulted in a significant number of casualties since October 2023, according to health authorities in the enclave.