Hamas and Islamic Jihad to Return Body of Deceased Israeli Hostage

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced Thursday they will return the body of a deceased Israeli hostage at 8:00 p.m., marking a rare gesture in a conflict marked by ongoing violations and broken promises.

According to their statement, the body was found in the Morg axis area, north of Khan Younis. While the identity of the victim has not yet been confirmed by Israeli authorities, the return will be carried out under Red Cross coordination.

Despite this development, the two terror groups are still holding the remains of at least four deceased Israeli hostages in flagrant breach of the ceasefire agreement.

Earlier reports from the Qatari outlet Al-Arabi revealed that Hamas, in coordination with the Red Cross, has resumed searches for other Israeli hostages in the Zeitoun neighborhood of eastern Gaza City. However, Israeli security sources remain skeptical of the groups' sincerity. They believe that Hamas and Islamic Jihad could immediately release two more deceased hostages but are deliberately choosing not to.

The location of the remaining two is reportedly unknown even to the terror groups themselves, further complicating the humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to retrieve them.

The return of this latest victim underscores the tragic human toll still unfolding. Each recovered body is a painful reminder of Hamas’s brutal October 7 attack, in which over 1,200 Israelis were murdered and many others kidnapped some never seen alive again.

This partial gesture, while welcome, cannot mask the ongoing injustice. The continued holding of remains is not only a violation of international law, but also a direct affront to the dignity of the hostages, their families, and the people of Israel.

As Israel continues its efforts to bring every hostage home, the global community must demand more than symbolic acts. Real justice means full accountability and the unconditional return of every hostage, living or deceased.

Remember the hostages. Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates that honor their memory and support Israel’s unwavering pursuit of justice.