Israel Receives Additional Hostage Bodies From Gaza Amid Ceasefire Progress
Israel gets two more hostage remains amid torture allegations and ceasefire strain.
Israel received the bodies of two more hostages from Gaza on October 21, 2025, bringing the total returned since the October 10 ceasefire to 13. Hamas handed the remains to the Red Cross, with 13 more still unrecovered amid rubble and chaos. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, visiting Israel, urged patience, saying some hostages are buried under tons of debris and others are unlocateable. He called the ceasefire’s progress “better than expected” after two years of war.
In exchange, Israel has returned 165 Palestinian bodies, 45 this week alone. Gaza’s Health Ministry claims many show torture marks—rope burns, shackles, gunshot wounds, crushed limbs, and burns. A senior doctor demanded a U.N. investigation, calling it “evidence of murder.” Israel denies mistreatment, insisting prisoners received legal care. Released Israeli hostages have also reported brutal conditions in Hamas captivity.
Vance, alongside Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, expressed cautious optimism about the truce. They said both sides are transitioning from war to peace, but key issues remain: Hamas disarmament, international security forces, and Gaza’s future governance. Vance warned that if Hamas violates the deal, it will be “obliterated.” He confirmed 200 U.S. troops in Israel are for support only, not Gaza deployment.
Also Read: Israel Halts Then Resumes Gaza Ceasefire; Aid Set to Flow Monday
Aid is flowing—over 530 WFP trucks entered in 10 days, feeding half a million for two weeks. Hamas cracked down on price gouging; flour dropped from $70 to $30 per bag after raids. But Gaza’s banks are destroyed, forcing people to pay high fees to cash brokers. Long lines formed at closed banks, with residents saying lower prices mean nothing witness cash.
Inside Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi without explanation. Hanegbi had opposed renewing the Gaza offensive and a failed Hamas assassination attempt in Qatar. Critics called it Netanyahu dodging responsibility for October 7 failures. Vance meets Netanyahu Wednesday as mediators push for phase two of the ceasefire.
Also Read: Israel Warns Military Action If Hamas Fails To Fulfil Truce
