The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in place while hostage and prisoner exchanges continue. Israel says it received the remains of three more hostages — later identified as IDF soldiers killed on Oct. 7 — and reports eight hostages remain unreturned; Gaza says Israel returned 45 Palestinian bodies under the agreement. The deal, reached nearly a month ago, required immediate returns but has unfolded more slowly than planned. Families and large public gatherings in Israel are pressing for the return of every hostage, while aid access in parts of Gaza remains restricted amid claims those areas are under Hamas control.
Ceasefire Holds as Hostage and Prisoner Exchanges Continue — Families Demand Full Returns
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in place while hostage and prisoner exchanges continue. Israel says it received the remains of three more hostages — later identified as IDF soldiers killed on Oct. 7 — and reports eight hostages remain unreturned; Gaza says Israel returned 45 Palestinian bodies under the agreement. The deal, reached nearly a month ago, required immediate returns but has unfolded more slowly than planned. Families and large public gatherings in Israel are pressing for the return of every hostage, while aid access in parts of Gaza remains restricted amid claims those areas are under Hamas control.
01:30, 04.11.2025Conflict
Fragile Ceasefire Continues as Exchanges Proceed
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in effect as exchanges of hostages and prisoners continue across the region. Israel confirmed it received the remains of three more hostages from Gaza on Monday; those bodies were later identified as Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed in the Oct. 7 attacks. Israeli officials say eight hostages remain unreturned. Gaza authorities say Israel has handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians under the terms of the same ceasefire agreement.
Carrying out the ceasefire’s terms has proceeded slowly. The agreement, reached nearly a month ago, envisioned the return of all remaining hostages — alive or dead — on the first day, but transfers have been staggered. Despite the delays, the latest handovers represent incremental progress toward fulfilling the deal.
Among the remains returned was Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old American-Israeli who served in the IDF. One other American, Itay Chen, is still listed among those whose remains remain inside Gaza. Chen's father, Ruby Chen, has spoken publicly and become a prominent voice pressing for the return of the hostages.
"The hostages need to not be an asset for Hamas but a liability in order for them to enable what they claim to be in the interest of the people in Gaza, which is getting the humanitarian aid in,"
— Ruby Chen
On the ground in Israel, public pressure remains intense. Families of hostages, veterans and supporters gathered in large crowds at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square over the weekend demanding the immediate return of all detainees, living and deceased, and reiterating that the situation is not resolved until every person is returned.
In Gaza, attention is focused on humanitarian access. Aid organizations and local authorities say there are still pockets of the territory where delivering food and relief remains difficult. Israeli officials contend those areas are under Hamas control, a dynamic they say complicates efforts to get aid to civilians.
The exchange process and the flow of humanitarian supplies are being closely watched by international observers as negotiators attempt to keep the ceasefire intact and move toward fuller implementation of the agreement.