Hamas handed a coffin with the remains of an Israeli hostage to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which delivered it to Israeli forces in Gaza. The body will be moved into Israel for a military ceremony and forensic identification, after which the family will be notified. Hamas said the body was located in Shejaia after access was granted for search teams. The transfer is part of a ceasefire deal calling for the return of 28 hostages' remains in exchange for 360 Palestinian militants' bodies.
Red Cross Transfers Another Israeli Hostage’s Remains from Gaza as Ceasefire Exchanges Continue
Hamas handed a coffin with the remains of an Israeli hostage to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which delivered it to Israeli forces in Gaza. The body will be moved into Israel for a military ceremony and forensic identification, after which the family will be notified. Hamas said the body was located in Shejaia after access was granted for search teams. The transfer is part of a ceasefire deal calling for the return of 28 hostages' remains in exchange for 360 Palestinian militants' bodies.
03:01, 05.11.2025Conflict
Red Cross Delivers Remains of Israeli Hostage to Israeli Forces
Hamas handed a coffin containing the remains of an Israeli hostage to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which then transferred it to Israeli forces operating in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the ICRC brought the remains to Israeli personnel in Gaza. The body is scheduled to be moved into Israel, where a military rabbi will preside over a formal military ceremony. Following that ceremony, the National Center of Forensic Medicine will carry out identification procedures before next of kin are notified.
Hamas said it had located the body of an Israeli soldier in Shejaia, an eastern suburb of Gaza City, after Israel granted access to the site for search teams from Hamas and the ICRC. News agencies reported a Red Cross vehicle transported the body in Gaza City as part of the handover operation (photo dated Nov. 4, 2025).
The transfer is part of a ceasefire agreement under which Hamas has committed to hand over the remains of 28 deceased hostages in exchange for the bodies of 360 Palestinian militants killed during the Gaza war. Before Tuesday’s transfer, Hamas had handed over the remains of 20 hostages; Israeli officials said eight remained in Gaza.
Earlier in the week, the bodies of three Israeli hostages — including American citizen Omer Neutra — were returned. Reuters, The Associated Press and local reporting contributed to this coverage.
What Happens Next
After forensic identification, Israeli authorities will notify the family and complete any necessary military honors. The ICRC continues to play a neutral role facilitating the transfers under the terms of the ceasefire.