Hamas has transferred another coffin with purported hostage remains to Israel via the Red Cross, continuing the implementation of the US-mediated ceasefire agreement. This development comes amid ongoing efforts to account for all captives from the 2023 conflict.
On November 5, 2025, Hamas handed over a coffin to the International Committee of the Red Cross, claiming it contained the body of a deceased Israeli hostage. The Israeli military confirmed the receipt and stated that the remains are being transported to the National Centre of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification. This handover is part of the broader ceasefire deal that began nearly a month ago, facilitated by the United States to de-escalate tensions and address humanitarian concerns.
The ceasefire agreement, which started in early October 2025, mandates Hamas to return all 20 living and 28 dead hostages within 72 hours of its initiation. While the living hostages were released on October 13 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the process for recovering the deceased has been slower. Israel has accused Hamas of intentionally delaying the return of bodies, whereas Hamas attributes the holdup to difficulties in locating remains under the rubble of war-torn Gaza.
If the latest remains are verified as those of a hostage, it would leave six bodies still unaccounted for in Gaza, including both Israelis and foreign nationals. Previous handovers have included the remains of soldiers like Itay Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli-American who was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. His body was returned on November 4, highlighting the incremental progress in these exchanges and the emotional toll on families.
The conflict, which erupted after Hamas’s assault on southern Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people, has led to a devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza. According to Hamas-run health authorities, over 68,800 Palestinians have died since the war began. The hostage crisis has been a central issue, with 251 people abducted initially, and the slow resolution of their fates complicating peace efforts and international diplomacy.
The delayed return of hostages’ bodies has stalled the second phase of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which includes proposals for Gaza’s governance, Israeli troop withdrawal, Hamas’s disarmament, and reconstruction initiatives. Israel has permitted Hamas and Red Cross personnel to search for remains in areas under its control, but operational challenges and distrust between the parties persist.
This handover underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing humanitarian concerns. The international community continues to monitor the situation, hoping for full compliance with the agreement to pave the way for broader diplomatic solutions and alleviate the suffering in Gaza. As identification processes proceed, families of the missing hostages await closure, while the broader implications for regional stability remain uncertain.