Israel confirmed on Sunday that three hostages’ remains were transferred from Gaza for forensic examination amidst a month-old ceasefire. Hamas had previously announced the discovery of the remains in a southern Gaza tunnel. Since the ceasefire’s initiation on October 10, Palestinian militants have released 17 hostages’ remains, leaving 11 in Gaza before the recent transfer.
There have been ongoing releases of one or two bodies every few days, prompting Israel to urge quicker progress. Israel has also noted instances where the remains did not belong to any hostages. Hamas cited challenges due to extensive damage in the area. Israel’s military emphasized that families would be the first to receive official identification of the remains.
The emotional impact on families has been significant, with weekly rallies continuing. Moran Harari, a friend of Carmel Gat, appealed for restraint to avoid further conflict. Israel reciprocated by releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians in exchange for an Israeli hostage’s remains.
Health officials in Gaza faced difficulties in identifying bodies without DNA kits. Of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned during the ceasefire, only 75 have been identified. The exchange of remains has been a crucial aspect of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan, which includes the establishment of an international stabilization force to secure Gaza’s borders.
Challenges remain regarding Hamas’ disarmament, postwar governance in Gaza, and the distribution of humanitarian aid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the presence of Hamas elements in certain Gaza areas controlled by Israeli forces, vowing their elimination.
The conflict, initiated by the 2023 Hamas attack, resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The toll includes about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken by Hamas, while Israel’s military offensive led to over 68,600 Palestinian deaths in Gaza. Israel has denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, disputing casualty figures reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.