Israel takes action to pressure Hamas to return bodies of all slain hostages

Israeli officials assert that intelligence indicates Hamas has not exerted sufficient effort to locate and return the outstanding bodies, despite ceasefire obligations.

By Gila Isaacson, JFeed

Israel has announced it will not reopen the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on Wednesday as stipulated in the recent ceasefire agreement, citing Hamas’s failure to return the bodies of all deceased hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

The government will also significantly reduce humanitarian aid deliveries as a form of pressure on the terror group.

The decision, approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following recommendations from defense officials, comes amid growing frustration from families of the remaining hostages.

Diplomatic sources report that mediators overseeing the negotiations have made a clear appeal to Israel: do not break the process.

According to the reports, the mediators requested that Israel allow them to continue direct engagement with Hamas to facilitate the return of more Israeli fallen soldiers.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that recovering the remaining hostage bodies could take “much more time” due to challenging conditions in Gaza, including ongoing instability and logistical hurdles.

On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the identities of four hostages whose remains were handed over by Hamas late Monday night.

The bodies belong to:

Guy Illouz, 26, an Israeli who succumbed to untreated wounds sustained during his abduction.

Bipin Joshi, 23, a Nepali national murdered while in captivity.

Yossi Sharabi, 53.

Captain Daniel Perez, 22, an IDF officer.

Hamas claimed responsibility for returning these remains shortly after releasing the final 20 living hostages kidnapped during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which ignited the Gaza war. Illouz was reportedly wounded and captured alive near the Gaza border after fleeing the Nova music festival massacre at Re’im.

The bodies arrived at Tel Aviv’s Abu Kabir Forensic Institute on October 13, where security forces paid respects. Forensic analysis confirmed the identifications, and families were notified.

Israeli officials assert that intelligence indicates Hamas has not exerted sufficient effort to locate and return the outstanding bodies, despite ceasefire obligations.

The sanctions aim to compel compliance, though critics argue they may exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

This development follows Hamas’s announcement via mediators that it would transfer additional bodies starting Monday evening, but only four were delivered.

The ceasefire, brokered with international involvement, had aimed to end hostilities and facilitate hostage releases, but tensions persist over unmet terms.