The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that the remains of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza have been transferred into the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and are en route to Israel for forensic examination and identification. This transfer comes amid ongoing exchanges under the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-based Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas.

Red Cross Facilitates Transfer

According to an IDF statement, the Red Cross traveled to a designated meeting point in central Gaza to receive the coffin of the deceased hostage. The coffin was then escorted by IDF troops into Israel, where it is now being transported to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine. Identification procedures will be conducted to officially confirm the identity of the deceased, with families being notified first.

The IDF stressed the importance of public sensitivity during this process, urging patience until formal identification is complete. Israeli authorities also reiterated that Hamas is obligated to comply with agreements and ensure the return of all remaining deceased hostages.

Background on Remaining Hostages

Prior to this handover, three deceased hostages were still reportedly in Hamas custody:

• Ran Gvili, 24, served in Israel’s elite Yasam police unit and was recovering from a motorcycle injury on October 7, 2023. Despite his condition, he responded to attacks at the Nova music festival, helping civilians escape before being killed in combat. His body was subsequently taken to Gaza.
• Dror Or, 48, was a father of three from Beeri kibbutz who died alongside his wife, Yonat Or, while protecting their children during the Hamas attack. Their children, Noam (16) and Alma (13), were abducted and later released during the November 2023 ceasefire.
• Sudthisak Rinthalak, 43, was a Thai agricultural worker at a kibbutz targeted during the attack. He is one of 31 Thai workers kidnapped on October 7, 2023. The Thai government reported at least 46 of its citizens were killed during the conflict.

Ceasefire Context and Ongoing Humanitarian Situation

The October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel marked the start of the conflict that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in more than 250 hostages being taken. Since the US-brokered ceasefire went into effect on October 10, 2025, Israel has received multiple deceased hostages from Gaza, while returning hundreds of Palestinian bodies as part of reciprocal humanitarian arrangements.

The fragile truce has faced challenges, including delays in recovering bodies buried under rubble and limited access to identification tools, making forensic verification complex. These efforts remain critical to upholding international agreements and humanitarian obligations.

International Attention

The latest handover of remains comes just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump met with 17 surviving Israeli hostages and their families at the White House. Trump presented each survivor with a Presidential Challenge Coin and praised them for their bravery, stating: “You’re not a hostage anymore, today you’re heroes. We love you all, and our country loves you all. You’re amazing people.”

Conclusion

The IDF’s receipt of this coffin represents another step in the ongoing effort to return all remaining Israeli hostages and deceased individuals from Gaza. While the process remains slow and sensitive, authorities stress that it will continue until every last hostage and deceased is accounted for.