Families Demand Justice as 24 Bodies Remain in Gaza Amid Hostage Release

Wed Nov 19 2025 10:11:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The families of Israeli hostages call for continued pressure on Hamas after only four bodies were returned, highlighting the ongoing struggle in the aftermath of the conflict.

As negotiations lead to the release of 20 live hostages, families of the deceased express deep disappointment over the failure to return all their loved ones. Rotem Cooper, son of a captured Israeli, emphasizes the fight for justice is not over, compelling global leaders to act against Hamas. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum demands a significant response, reflecting on the emotional turmoil surrounding the hostage situation.

The son of an Israeli hostage whose body remains in Gaza has told the BBC he is dealing with the realization that it's not over and it's going to be a longer battle. Rotem Cooper, whose father Amiram is among 24 hostages whose bodies were not returned to Israel on Monday, said the families were trying to find the strength somehow to pick ourselves up... and continue the fight.

He called on US President Donald Trump, Qatar, Egypt, and other countries involved in peace deal negotiations to show Hamas that this is not acceptable. A ceasefire and hostage release agreement signed by Israel and Hamas stated that the remaining hostages in Gaza would be returned by noon on Monday, with nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel released in exchange.

While the 20 hostages still alive were released, a copy of the agreement published by Israeli media appeared to acknowledge that Hamas and other Palestinian factions may not be able to locate all of the bodies of the deceased hostages by the deadline.

Families had pinned their hopes on their loved ones returning on that day, after two years in captivity. We hoped and expected that maybe 15 to 20 out of the 28 deceased hostages would be released, but that didn't happen. Only four were announced, Mr. Cooper said.

He described the news as a very big disappointment for the families, stating, It's clear to us that they could have and should have released more and [that] they're playing games. Mr. Cooper's parents were both kidnapped in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. His mother was released later that month while his father was killed in captivity.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the relatives of many of the hostages, has called for a very serious response from the Israeli government and mediators for what is described as Hamas's violation of the agreement. They stated that further stages of the peace plan should not progress until all the remaining bodies had been returned.

In the aftermath, Mr. Cooper headed to the Re'im military base in southern Israel to witness the return of the 20 living hostages. Describing feelings of tremendous anticipation and a big relief, he was nonetheless heartbroken that his father's body had not been among those returned. Mr. Cooper emphasized the need for continued pressure on Hamas to adhere to the agreement, urging for the return of all 24 hostages still in captivity.