The son of an Israeli hostage whose body remains in Gaza has declared that the struggle for the return of all captives is far from over, following the failure to repatriate all deceased hostages as part of a recent ceasefire agreement. Rotem Cooper, whose father Amiram was among those not returned, emphasized that families must continue their fight for closure amid deep disappointment.
Rotem Cooper shared his emotional turmoil with the BBC, stating that the realization that ‘it’s not over and it’s going to be a longer battle’ has left him and other families grappling with the need to find strength and persevere. He described the news that only four out of 28 deceased hostages were returned on Monday as a ‘very big disappointment,’ noting that families had hoped for 15 to 20 bodies to be released. This shortfall has intensified calls for international pressure on Hamas to adhere to the agreement.
The ceasefire and hostage release agreement, signed by Israel and Hamas, stipulated that all remaining hostages in Gaza would be returned by noon on Monday, with nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees released in exchange. While the 20 living hostages were successfully freed, a copy of the agreement suggested that Hamas and other factions might not be able to locate all bodies of deceased hostages by the deadline. This acknowledgment has fueled frustrations among the families, who had pinned their hopes on the return of their loved ones after two years in captivity.
Amiram Cooper was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, alongside his wife, who was released later that month. He was killed in captivity, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stating the circumstances are under examination and Hamas claiming he died in an Israeli military strike. The uncertainty surrounding his death adds to the family’s anguish, as Rotem expressed that returning his father’s body would provide ‘some closure’ and allow him to ‘sleep better at night.’
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing many hostage relatives, has called for a ‘very serious response’ from the Israeli government and mediators, describing Hamas’s actions as a violation of the agreement. They urged that further stages of the peace plan should not proceed until all remaining bodies are returned, highlighting the need for accountability. Rotem Cooper echoed this, appealing to US President Donald Trump, Qatar, Egypt, and other involved countries to ‘show Hamas that this is not acceptable’ and prevent further ‘games.’
Other family members shared similar sentiments; Ruby Chen, whose son Itay’s body also remains in Gaza, described a mix of emotions—’overjoyed’ at the release of living hostages but ‘very disappointed’ not to see more deceased hostages returned. In a video message, he called on the Israeli government, the US, and mediators to continue pressuring Hamas to follow the agreement and bring back all 24 remaining bodies. This collective voice underscores the unified demand for resolution and the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that forensic tests identified the four returned hostages as 26-year-old Israeli Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old Nepalese citizen, Yossi Sharabi, a 53-year-old Israeli, and 22-year-old Daniel Peretz, an Israeli-South African dual national. Their families have been informed, and the bodies have been reburied, providing a measure of solace amid the broader tragedy. However, for families like the Coopers and Chens, the wait continues, symbolizing the unresolved wounds of the Israel-Gaza war.
Looking ahead, the situation highlights the complexities of ceasefire implementations and the enduring humanitarian crises in the region. The families’ resilience and international appeals may influence future negotiations, but the path to full resolution remains uncertain, with implications for regional stability and the pursuit of peace. As Rotem Cooper poignantly noted, ‘Everything has been on hold,’ capturing the suspended lives of those awaiting finality in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.