Red Cross Receives Coffin Believed to Hold Gaza Hostage’s Body

The Red Cross has received a coffin reportedly containing the body of one of the last deceased hostages still in Gaza, according to the Israeli military. This action follows a statement from the armed groups Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hamas, who claim to have discovered the remains of an Israeli hostage in central Gaza on Monday. The remains will be transferred to the Israeli forces for identification at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office has expressed serious concern over the delay in the transfer of the body. The office described this delay as a “further violation” of the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect for six weeks. “Israel demands the immediate return of the three deceased hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip,” the statement added.

Ceasefire Agreement Details

The initial phase of the ceasefire, brokered by the United States, began on October 10, 2023. As part of the agreement, Hamas committed to returning 20 living Israeli hostages along with the remains of 28 deceased hostages—both Israeli and foreign—within 72 hours. The living hostages were released on October 13, 2023, in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.

So far, the remains of 22 Israeli hostages have been returned, alongside the bodies of three foreign hostages: one Thai, one Nepalese, and one Tanzanian. In return, Israel has handed over the bodies of 330 Palestinians killed during the ongoing conflict.

Among the three remaining deceased hostages are two Israelis: Ran Gvili, aged 24, and Dror Or, aged 48. The third is Suthisak Rintalak, a 43-year-old Thai national. Accusations have been exchanged, with Israel alleging that Hamas is intentionally delaying the retrieval of the bodies, while Hamas asserts that it is facing challenges in locating the remains beneath the rubble.

Impact on Peace Negotiations

The prolonged recovery process has hindered progress on the second phase of President Donald Trump‘s Gaza peace plan. This phase includes significant proposals for Gaza’s governance, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, disarmament of Hamas, and reconstruction efforts.

The hostages still unaccounted for were among the 251 individuals abducted during the attack led by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. In retaliation, Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza, leading to substantial casualties, with over 69,770 reported dead according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the region.

The situation remains tense, with both humanitarian and political implications as families and communities await clarity on the fate of the remaining hostages.