Late tonight, Hamas handed over the remains of two Israeli hostages to the IDF through the mediation of the Red Cross.
The transfer came after an earlier announcement by Hamas’ military wing, which said it would deliver the bodies of two deceased captives to Israel at 10:00 p.m. local time.
At approximately 10:50 p.m., the IDF confirmed that the Red Cross was en route to a designated handover site in southern Gaza, where multiple coffins containing the remains of hostages would be received.
“The IDF requests that the public act with sensitivity and wait for the official identification, which will first be provided to the families of the hostages,” the statement added. “Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages.”
According to Hamas, the bodies were discovered in Gaza earlier in the day.
Israeli security officials have stated that Hamas is fully aware of the locations of additional deceased hostages and has the ability to transfer them at any time. Estimates suggest that the group could immediately release at least eight more bodies if it chose to comply.
If the identities of the bodies delivered on Saturday night are confirmed as those of Israeli hostages, Hamas would still be holding the remains of sixteen others. The IDF believes more transfers are likely to take place in the coming days.
Earlier in the evening, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement responding to the delay in Hamas’ compliance, declaring that the Rafah Crossing will remain shut until further notice.
“Its opening will be weighed in accordance with the way Hamas implements its part in the return of the deceased hostages and in the implementation of the agreed-upon plan,” the statement read.
The Hostages Families Forum expressed support for the decision but urged Israel to take a firmer approach. “At the same time, the Israeli government must not rely on the mediators – it must show a strong position against Hamas and demand the return of all 18 hostages, with no exceptions, and use all leverage it has. The government must declare that it will not continue to implement the agreement until all of the deceased hostages have been returned, in accordance with Trump’s plan.”
{Matzav.com}
