Tel Aviv, Israel – November 5, 2025 – In a significant development, Israel has received the remains of an individual believed to be one of the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The handover took place under the framework of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, which has facilitated the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas.
What Happened
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, the remains were handed over by the International Red Cross in Gaza on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The coffin containing the remains was transferred to the Israeli military and Shin Bet, the internal security service. The remains will undergo a military ceremony before being sent to a national forensic center for identification. The prime minister’s office reiterated that Israel’s effort to return all hostages is ongoing, emphasizing that “this effort will not cease until the last hostage is returned.”
Hostage Exchange Agreement
The handover of the remains is part of the truce agreement that began last month. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas released all 20 surviving hostages who had been seized during the initial attack on Israel in October 2023, which sparked the Gaza war. In exchange, Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
As part of the agreement, Hamas also committed to returning the bodies of 28 deceased hostages. So far, 21 bodies have been handed over – including 19 Israelis, one Thai national, and one Nepali. This latest transfer marks a continued effort, but Israel remains focused on securing the return of all those still missing.
Ongoing Efforts and Challenges
The Israeli military and Shin Bet confirmed that the remains have crossed into Israel’s borders, urging the public to await official confirmation regarding the identity of the deceased. While the Israeli government has praised the recent transfer, it has also accused Hamas of delaying the return of the bodies, citing logistical and burial challenges caused by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Hamas, for its part, has argued that the delay is due to many bodies being buried beneath the rubble in Gaza.
In addition to the exchange of bodies, Israel has committed to returning 15 Palestinian bodies for every deceased hostage it receives from Hamas.
The Broader Impact
This latest handover underscores the fragile but critical nature of the ongoing ceasefire and the broader humanitarian efforts to address the aftermath of the conflict. The return of the bodies and hostages is seen as an essential part of restoring a sense of normalcy and providing closure for the families involved.
This story may be updated as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation and negotiations.
The post Israel Receives Remains Believed to Belong to Hostage from Gaza: Ongoing Effort to Bring All Hostages Home first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
