Red Cross Warns Return of Hostage Remains From Gaza Could Take Weeks

Following the emotional return of Israel’s last living hostages from Gaza, the somber next chapter is underway recovering the remains of those who did not survive captivity. But according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the mission to bring them home may take weeks, or even longer.

Christian Cardon, spokesperson for the ICRC, called the process a "massive challenge", citing the overwhelming destruction across Gaza. “That’s an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released,” he said on Tuesday. “There is clearly a risk that this will take much more time.”

The Red Cross is urging both Israel and Hamas to prioritize this humanitarian task. So far, only four coffins containing the remains of deceased hostages have been returned to Israel. The remains of two dozen others are still unaccounted for, buried somewhere under the rubble of Gaza’s devastated infrastructure or hidden in Hamas-controlled tunnels.

The spokesperson declined to disclose specific details regarding the potential locations of the deceased, stressing the extreme sensitivity and complexity of the ongoing recovery effort.

The urgency is not lost on Israelis. For the families of those presumed dead, closure cannot come soon enough. The scenes of joyous reunions this week were tempered by grief for the hostages who will never return alive and the hope now rests on recovering their bodies so they can be buried with dignity.

The return of the remains is part of the broader ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, brokered with U.S. involvement and declared a historic moment by President Donald Trump earlier this week. While the war may be officially over, for many families, the heartache remains painfully unresolved.

Israel continues to press for full accounting and return of all hostages living and deceased and is leaning heavily on international partners to make it happen. The IDF has pledged full cooperation with humanitarian agencies working on the ground.

As Israel enters a new phase of healing and rebuilding, honoring the memory of those lost is not only a moral obligation it's a national priority.

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