Israel claims one body returned by Hamas doesn't match hostages

The Israeli military has reported a discrepancy in the identification of remains transferred by Hamas, claiming that one of four bodies received Tuesday does not match any known hostages. According to an official military statement released Wednesday, forensic examinations conducted at Israel's National Institute of Forensic Medicine failed to establish correspondence between the fourth body and any individuals previously identified as captives.

Identification Discrepancy and Response

Following comprehensive forensic analysis, Israeli authorities determined that the fourth set of remains transferred by Hamas could not be matched to their hostage database. The military statement called on the Palestinian group "to make all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages," indicating ongoing concerns about the completeness of hostage returns. Hamas has not provided immediate public comment regarding the Israeli identification claim, creating uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding the unmatched remains.

Ceasefire Exchange Context

The identification issue emerged during the ongoing implementation of prisoner exchanges under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Hamas transferred four additional sets of remains on Tuesday, following Monday's release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the return of four bodies. These transfers occurred within the framework of the reciprocal arrangement that secured the freedom of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention facilities. Israeli media reports indicate expectations that four additional bodies will be returned on Wednesday, suggesting continued progress in the exchange process despite the identification complication.

Broader Ceasefire Framework

The prisoner exchanges form part of the initial phase of the comprehensive ceasefire agreement announced last week by US President Donald Trump. The arrangement, which took effect Friday, includes provisions for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza alongside the hostage and prisoner exchanges. The agreement's second phase envisions establishing new governance structures in Gaza without Hamas participation, deploying a multinational security force, and implementing disarmament measures following extensive military operations that resulted in substantial casualties and destruction.