Hamas declares it has handed over all accessible hostage remains
In a statement amid ongoing talks over a US-backed ceasefire and hostage deal, Hamas asserted that it has complied with its obligations by handing over all living hostages it could access and the bodies of hostages that were reachable. The claim comes as the United States confirms it is pursuing a broader effort to locate and recover the remaining remains through mediators, international partners, and intelligence support.
US stance: commitments being honored, with help from mediators
Two senior US advisers said Washington does not believe Hamas is violating its commitments under President Donald Trump’s ceasefire framework by withholding the bodies of several deceased hostages. Instead, the US is actively coordinating with third-party mediators to facilitate the retrieval and return of the unaccounted remains. The advisers noted that locating these bodies is often complicated by rubble and years of war damage, requiring sophisticated techniques and cooperation from multiple actors in the region.
Regional assistance and potential incentives
The US indicated that countries in the region, including Turkey, have offered help in locating remains. Turkey reportedly proposed dispatching a team skilled in recovering bodies in challenging environments, such as post-disaster sites. Additionally, Washington is weighing monetary rewards to spur information leading to the recovery of additional bodies.
Operational realities and timelines under the ceasefire
The ceasefire framework set a 72-hour deadline to locate and return all living and deceased hostages. Observers note that Hamas has so far returned only a portion of the deceased, with critics framing the pace as slow and inconsistent with the deadline. An Israeli official cited frustration at the pace, considering several options if progress stalls further.
Hamas’s military wing has reiterated that it requires “significant efforts and special equipment” to retrieve the remaining bodies, arguing that access is hindered by the scale of the damage in Gaza. The organization maintained that it has abided by the agreement to the extent possible and has handed over all it can access.
Diplomatic and humanitarian bearings of the ceasefire
The ceasefire also intertwined with humanitarian aid logistics. The Rafah border crossing remains a focal point, with aid deliveries into Gaza constrained and shipments constrained by security concerns and political disagreements. The Red Cross and other humanitarian bodies have been coordinating to retrieve and transfer bodies, while acknowledging that broader relief efforts face hindrances from the stalled body-recovery process.
Implications for military and political leadership
Israeli leadership has signaled readiness to resume military action if Hamas fails to comply with the ceasefire terms, including disarmament provisions. In parallel, US President Donald Trump has suggested he could authorize renewed Israeli military actions if Hamas refuses to uphold the deal. These postures underscore the high-stakes diplomacy surrounding the agreement, with regional mediators playing a pivotal role in stabilizing or recalibrating the accord as ground realities shift.
What comes next
With aid flows and civilian protection remain central concerns, international agencies emphasize that timely, unimpeded relief is essential for Gaza’s vulnerable population. The ongoing process to locate the remaining bodies, while not yet complete, represents a critical dimension of the broader effort to implement the ceasefire, secure dignified returns for families, and set the stage for potential subsequent phases of any peace framework.
As the situation evolves, governments, humanitarian groups, and families await concrete progress on both living hostages and the fates of the deceased, hoping for a transparent, accountable path forward consistent with international humanitarian law.
