Forensic Tests: Items from Gaza Don’t Match Two Remaining Hostages, Israel Says

Israel said Wednesday that forensic testing of material handed over from Gaza shows the items "do not match" either of the two hostages still believed to be in the territory, adding strain to an already fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Palestinian media reported the material was recovered in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and was handed over on Tuesday. In a statement, Israel’s Prime Minister's Office said forensic testing had concluded the material could not be linked to the deceased hostages. The office used the term "findings" rather than "remains" but did not immediately explain the choice.

Hamas has not offered an immediate comment on the handover.

Hostages and recent returns

Since the ceasefire began in early October, 20 living hostages and the remains of 26 others have been returned to Israel. Two hostages — one Israeli and one Thai national — are still believed to be in Gaza: Ran Gvili and Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Ran Gvili helped people flee the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and was later reported killed while fighting elsewhere; the military confirmed his death months after the assault. Sudthisak Rinthalak was an agricultural worker from Thailand who had been employed at Kibbutz Be’eri and had reportedly worked in Israel since 2017. A total of 31 Thai workers were abducted in the attack; most were released during earlier phases of the ceasefire.

Ceasefire exchanges and disputes

The exchange of living hostages and remains has been central to the initial phase of the U.S.-brokered agreement. Under the deal, Israel has returned Palestinian bodies in exchange for the remains of hostages—an arrangement that has drawn accusations from both sides. Israeli officials claim some transfers involved partial remains or staged discoveries, while Hamas accuses Israel of firing on civilians and restricting humanitarian aid.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has said the total number of remains it has received so far is 330 and added that identification of many of the bodies has been hampered by a shortage of DNA testing kits. Health officials say they have been able to identify only a fraction of the returned bodies.

Broader context and next steps

The ceasefire’s broader 20-point plan envisions creating an international stabilization force, forming a technocratic Palestinian government and disarming Hamas. The truce aims to wind down a conflict that began with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw some 251 taken hostage.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 70,100. The ministry does not distinguish between militants and civilians but says roughly half of those killed have been women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas-run government and is staffed by medical professionals; its records are regarded by many in the international community as a key source of casualty data.