Three Soldiers Identified Among Remains Returned from Gaza, a Step for Fragile U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire

JERUSALEM —

Israeli officials announced Monday that the remains returned from Gaza overnight have been positively identified as three soldiers killed during the Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023 — the attack that ignited the current war. The identifications were described by Israeli authorities as another step in the fragile, U.S.-brokered ceasefire process.

Who were the soldiers?

The Prime Minister's Office named the three as Capt. Omer Neutra (an American-Israeli), Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel and Col. Assaf Hamami. According to the military, the men were killed on Oct. 7 in southern Israel and their bodies were taken into Gaza. Hamas said the remains were discovered inside a tunnel in southern Gaza.

Neutra, 21, was taken along with his tank crew; Israel's military announced in December 2024 that he had been killed in the Oct. 7 attack. Neutra's parents have been active in public advocacy and spoke at the U.S. Republican National Convention last year. Daniel, 19, was seized from his tank and is survived by his parents and twin sister. Col. Hamami commanded the southern brigade in the Gaza division; reports say he was among the first to declare Israel under attack minutes after the assault began. Hamami is survived by his wife and three children.

Exchange of remains and ceasefire mechanics

Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, militants have handed over the remains of 20 hostages; officials say eight are still believed to remain in Gaza. The transfers have been slow, typically one or two bodies every few days, with Israel urging faster progress. As part of the exchange process, Israel has returned the remains of 15 Palestinians for each Israeli body received.

Gaza's Health Ministry reports difficulties identifying many of the returned bodies because teams lack sufficient DNA testing kits and because of widespread destruction. Of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned since the ceasefire began, the ministry says only 75 have been identified; it has posted photographs to help families recognize loved ones.

Statements and wider context

U.S. President Donald Trump said he spoke with Neutra's family and described their mixed feelings of relief and sorrow: "They were thrilled, in one sense, but in another sense, obviously, it's not too great," he said.

The exchange of remains has been central to the initial phase of a 20-point U.S.-mediated plan that also envisions forming an international stabilization force — including Arab and other partners — to work with Egypt and Jordan to secure Gaza's borders and help enforce the ceasefire. Several countries have signaled interest in participating but have called for a clear U.N. Security Council mandate before committing troops.

Major unresolved issues remain, including how and whether Hamas will be disarmed, who will govern Gaza after the war, and how humanitarian aid deliveries will be scaled up and protected.

Casualty figures and disputes

The Oct. 7, 2023 attack led by Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in roughly 251 hostages, according to widely reported figures from that period. Gaza's Health Ministry — part of the Hamas-run government — reports that Israel's military offensive has resulted in more than 68,800 deaths in Gaza. That ministry does not separate civilians from combatants. Israel has rejected accusations of genocide made by a U.N. commission and others, and has disputed the Health Ministry's toll without providing an alternate consolidated figure.

Associated Press contributors Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv and Aamer Madhani in West Palm Beach contributed to this report.