Hamas transfers remains of Israeli hostage under Gaza ceasefire deal

Hamas has transferred the remains of an Israeli hostage to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, according to Israeli military authorities. The handover occurred under the framework of the ceasefire agreement that has governed the conflict since early October, facilitating the return of both living captives and deceased individuals.

Transfer Process and Confirmation

The Israeli army confirmed Monday evening that a coffin containing the body of a deceased captive was en route to Israeli troops stationed in the Palestinian enclave. The military statement came after Hamas announced it would hand over the remains of an Israeli hostage as part of its commitments under the current ceasefire arrangement. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer between the parties.

Ceasefire Terms and Previous Exchanges

The first phase of the current ceasefire took effect on October 10 under US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan. Since the truce began, Hamas has released 20 living Israeli hostages along with the bodies of 16 others. Despite these transfers, the remains of 12 hostages reportedly remain within the Gaza territory, indicating further negotiations will be necessary for their return.

Broader Conflict Context

The hostage exchange occurs against the backdrop of a devastating conflict that has resulted in massive casualties according to Palestinian authorities, who report over 68,500 fatalities and more than 170,300 injuries since hostilities escalated in October 2023. The ceasefire plan also includes provisions for Gaza's reconstruction and the establishment of a new governing mechanism that would exclude Hamas from political control.