Hamas transfers remains of another Israeli hostage under Gaza truce

Hamas has delivered the remains of another Israeli hostage to the International Committee of the Red Cross, marking the latest implementation of prisoner exchange provisions under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military confirmed Tuesday evening that a coffin containing the deceased captive had been transferred to Red Cross representatives for transportation to Israeli forces operating within the Gaza territory.

Recovery Location and Ceasefire Provisions

The Palestinian resistance movement recovered the body from debris within the designated "yellow line" area east of Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City, a territory specified in the initial phase of the October 10 ceasefire arrangement. This demarcation line separates Israeli-controlled eastern sectors from western areas where Palestinian movement is permitted, establishing the geographical framework for ongoing search and recovery operations.

Hostage Exchange Progress

According to Hamas documentation, the movement has released twenty living Israeli captives and returned eighteen sets of remains out of twenty-eight deceased hostages under the current ceasefire terms. Israeli authorities have previously contested one body's identification, claiming it did not match their missing personnel records. The completion of remains repatriation represents Israel's precondition for commencing second-phase negotiations regarding Gaza's reconstruction and governance transition.

Ceasefire Implementation Challenges

Hamas officials have emphasized the practical difficulties in recovering additional remains given the extensive destruction caused by Israel's two-year military campaign in Gaza. The initial phase of the agreement includes prisoner exchanges involving nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and outlines eventual reconstruction plans alongside establishing alternative governance mechanisms that exclude Hamas participation in Gaza's administration.