Public and governmental anger is mounting in Israel over Hamas’s delayed return of deceased hostages, with only eight bodies recovered out of 28, sparking outrage and criticism amid a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States. The frustration stems from the contrast between the celebratory release of living captives and the lingering anguish of families still awaiting their loved ones’ remains.
Just hours after the final 20 living hostages were freed on Monday, Israeli parliamentary speaker Amir Ohana removed his yellow ribbon pin—a symbol of solidarity—in a gesture that many grieving families found deeply disrespectful. Ruby Chen, father of deceased American-Israeli hostage Itay Chen, accused leaders of pushing a narrative that the crisis is over, emphasizing that hostages remain in Gaza and the ordeal is far from resolved. This sentiment echoed among relatives who felt sidelined during political celebrations in the Knesset, where U.S. President Donald Trump was thanked for his role in the deal.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas was required to hand over all hostages, both alive and deceased, by Monday at noon local time. However, only four deceased individuals—Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi, and Daniel Peretz—were returned that evening. More than 24 hours later, the Israeli military received four additional bodies, identified as Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi, bringing the total to eight by Tuesday evening. The slow pace has exacerbated tensions, with many of the 28 deceased hostages still unaccounted for.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the delay ‘a failure to uphold commitments’ but refrained from issuing military threats, signaling a desire to maintain the ceasefire. In response, Israeli officials announced restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza, reducing the number of allowed aid trucks to 300—half the agreed amount—and halting fuel shipments except for specific needs. The United Nations confirmed these measures, warning they could worsen the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave.
Families of the missing deceased hostages expressed their despair at rallies in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where emotions ran high. Yael Adar, mother of slain hostage Tamir Adar, described feeling ‘betrayed’ by the political cheers and questioned why the dead are treated as less worthy under the deal’s terms. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum echoed these frustrations, accusing leaders of betraying Jewish morals by removing solidarity symbols and concealing responsibility behind applause.
The retrieval of remaining hostages is complicated by extensive damage in Gaza from two years of Israeli bombardment, which has left vast areas in rubble and hindered access to suspected burial sites. Israeli sources indicate that maps and intelligence exist to locate hostages, but an international taskforce agreed upon in the ceasefire plan has yet to clarify how operations will proceed. This uncertainty adds to the public’s fury, with many doubting Hamas’s ability or willingness to fulfill its obligations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that more bodies would be returned soon, but his words rang hollow for critics who accuse him of prolonging the war to distract from political scandals. The ceasefire’s second phase is in early talks, with thorny issues like Hamas disarming and Gaza’s governance still unresolved. Despite Trump’s declaration that ‘the war is over,’ Israeli troops remain in Gaza, and security fears persist amid reports of violent clashes between Hamas and rival groups.
As the situation unfolds, hostage families are left in a limbo of diplomacy and devastation. Hagit Chen, Itay’s mother, urged continued public solidarity through the hostages pin, recalling the trauma of October 7. With crucial questions unanswered and public anger intensifying, the path forward remains uncertain, highlighting the deep scars of a conflict that is far from over.