The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Monday that a coffin containing a deceased hostage had been transferred from Hamas, with the Red Cross assisting the transfer.
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, the body will be brought from the Gaza Strip and honored in a military ceremony that will include a military rabbi.
Hamas stated the body was retrieved on Sunday. Should it be confirmed as that of a hostage, the remains of 15 hostages would then remain in Gaza. Israel noted that a body previously transferred by Hamas last week was not identified as a hostage.
Netanyahu’s office indicated that the National Center of Forensic Medicine, part of Israel’s Ministry of Health, would identify the body, after which the family would be informed.
Netanyahu’s office conveyed: “All families of the deceased hostages have been apprised of this situation, and our thoughts are with them during this challenging period.” It further added, “The ongoing endeavor to bring back our hostages persists without interruption and will not conclude until every last hostage is home.”
The IDF stated on X: “Hamas is obligated to and undertake the necessary actions to facilitate the return of all hostages.”
It was stated last week that specialized equipment and additional time were necessary to recover further bodies.
Earlier Monday, an announcement confirmed that the remains of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, formerly a hostage in Gaza, were en route from Israel to his hometown of Bhimdattanagar.
This transfer occurred following the resumption of the week-old ceasefire, which had recommenced after weekend clashes between Hamas and Israel.