25 Of 28 Israeli Captives’ Bodies Returned From Gaza Under US-Brokered Ceasefire Deal

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad on Thursday returned the body of another Israeli captive from southern Gaza as part of the ongoing US-brokered ceasefire and exchange deal. The transfer, scheduled to take place at 18:00 GMT, marks the 25th return out of the 28 Israeli captives killed in Gaza. The remaining three bodies are expected to be handed over in the coming days, according to Israeli and international officials monitoring the process.

The handover of bodies is part of a humanitarian exchange arrangement that came into effect on October 10, under which Israel agreed to return the bodies of 360 Palestinian fighters in exchange for the remains of 28 Israelis held by armed groups in Gaza. The process has been unfolding gradually, with militants returning one or two bodies at a time through Egyptian and Red Cross mediation. Each exchange has been highly sensitive, involving strict coordination between Israeli security agencies, Palestinian mediators, and international observers.

Israeli officials have accused Hamas and allied militant groups of deliberately slowing the process to exert political pressure and gain leverage during ceasefire negotiations. “They have been dragging their feet and controlling the timeline of returns,” an Israeli government source told media outlets. The groups, however, deny any intentional delay. A Hamas spokesperson said the recovery operations are extremely challenging due to widespread destruction across Gaza, limited fuel, and the ongoing security situation. “We are working as fast as possible under dangerous and difficult conditions,” the spokesperson said.

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International mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have maintained close oversight of the agreement to prevent renewed hostilities. The deal follows months of violent escalation and ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza, where efforts remain focused on restoring stability and ensuring prisoner exchanges are carried out safely. While the return of captives’ bodies has offered some closure to affected families in Israel, the slow pace and complex logistics have raised fresh tensions within both governments and among their respective communities.

The retrieval of remains has highlighted the devastating toll of the conflict and the human suffering on both sides. With three bodies still unreturned, Israeli officials say they remain committed to securing the handover of all captives under the agreement. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies warn that continued instability and damaged infrastructure in Gaza could further complicate recovery efforts. As of now, all eyes remain on the remaining exchanges—and on whether the fragile ceasefire can hold long enough to complete the process in full.

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