Hamas Delivers More Bodies of Israeli Hostages Amid Ceasefire Tensions

Wed Nov 19 2025 10:26:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid a fragile ceasefire, Hamas has returned two more bodies of Israeli hostages but claims it cannot retrieve the remaining ones without specialized equipment. US and Israeli officials express concern over the completion of the hostage recovery.

In a recent development, Hamas returned two additional bodies of Israeli hostages, adhering to a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. However, the group stated that recovering the remaining deceased hostages requires time and specialized resources. Israeli officials continue to stress the importance of recovering all hostages, raising questions about the future of the ceasefire as tensions rise. While humanitarian aid remains a pressing concern, fears among civilians in Gaza grow amidst potential renewed conflict.

Hamas says it has handed over the bodies of two more Israeli hostages under the terms of the US-brokered ceasefire deal, but says it needs time and specialised equipment to recover the rest of the deceased from the ruins of Gaza.

The group's armed wing stated it was committed to the deal but had returned all the bodies of hostages it could access.

US President Donald Trump warned that Israeli forces could resume military action in Gaza if Hamas fails to adhere to the agreement.

According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's office, Israel received coffins containing the bodies through the Red Cross, pending official identification.

The Israeli defense forces have urged the public for patience until official identifications are made, which will first be communicated to the families of the deceased hostages.

If confirmed, the two recently returned bodies would mean that 19 hostages are still unaccounted for in Gaza. Hamas is required to return all 28 deceased hostages as part of the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.

However, Hamas's armed wing expressed that significant efforts and specialized equipment are required to retrieve the remaining bodies, stating, we are making a great effort to close this file.

Israel has stated firm expectations regarding the recovery of all hostages and that their mission is not yet complete. Israeli Defense Minister has instructed the IDF to prepare a comprehensive plan to address Hamas if conflict resumes.

The latest returns followed Israel's assertion that one of four bodies returned by Hamas was not among the missing hostages. The other three deceased identified as Tamir Nimrodi, 20, Eitan Levy, 53, and Uriel Baruch, 35, were confirmed by the Hostages Families Forum.

In the broader context, the UN humanitarian chief has called on Israel to open all crossings into Gaza urgently for humanitarian assistance, emphasizing that withholding aid should not be used as a bargaining chip. The ceasefire plan aims to expand the humanitarian aid flow substantially.

Moreover, civilians in Gaza report rising concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire, causing a surge in food prices as residents rush to stockpile essential supplies.

Fears of renewed conflict are pervasive among residents, with many expressing the sentiment that the ceasefire may not hold long, thus leading to widespread food shortages due to traders hoarding essential items.