The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has hit a new complication as Israel confirmed that one of the bodies returned by Hamas does not belong to any known Israeli hostage. The revelation comes amid ongoing efforts to enforce a truce and facilitate the exchange of hostages and deceased individuals from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Hamas Returns Four Bodies, One Misidentified

Late Tuesday night, Hamas handed over four coffins to Israel, each reportedly containing the remains of Israeli captives held in Gaza. However, forensic tests conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine revealed that one of the four bodies does not match any of the known hostages. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized that Hamas must make every effort to return the deceased hostages correctly.

“The fourth body handed over … does not match any of the hostages,” an IDF spokesperson said. Israel reiterated its firm stance: it will not compromise in securing the return of all missing individuals.

Confirmed Identities of Returned Bodies

Three of the returned bodies were positively identified via DNA testing as:

• Tamir Nimrodi, an 18-year-old soldier reportedly killed by Israeli airstrikes while in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated that Nimrodi was abducted alive from his base and later killed during captivity.
• Uriel Baruch, 35, a victim of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack.
• Eitan Levi, 53, also killed in the October 2023 attack.

The misidentification of the fourth body has intensified Israeli demands for accountability and transparency from Hamas in adhering to the ceasefire agreements.

Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage Exchange

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel has agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for every Israeli body handed over by Hamas. So far, Israel has transferred 90 bodies to Gaza, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) managing the civilian transfers.

“We know that the families won’t give up … and neither will we — we are prepared to fulfill our role for as long as it takes,” stated Julien Lerisson, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

Hamas, on the other hand, has returned only seven of the 28 deceased hostages identified. Earlier transfers included the remains of IDF Captain Daniel Peretz, Yossi Sharabi, Guy Iloz, and Nepali citizen Bipin Joshi. Israel had warned that aid flows would be reduced if bodies were not returned by a set deadline. Hamas cited difficulty in locating some hostages believed to be buried under rubble.

Humanitarian Aid and International Response

The United Nations has expressed alarm at Israel’s decision to withhold part of the promised humanitarian aid as leverage in the ceasefire negotiations. Israeli authorities announced a reduction in aid trucks entering Gaza, halving the volume previously agreed upon.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged both sides to honor their obligations, emphasizing that humanitarian aid must never be used as a bargaining tool. Medical organizations in Gaza also condemned Israel’s decision, calling the withholding of life-saving aid “outrageous.”

Hostage Releases and Postwar Tensions

On Monday, the final 20 living hostages held in Gaza were released to Israeli authorities. In return, nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners captured since the war began were freed into Gaza and the West Bank. Many released individuals were reportedly in poor health, underweight, and carrying injuries sustained during captivity.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high in Gaza, with rival armed factions vying for influence in the postwar vacuum. One casualty, Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi, 28, was reportedly killed by a militia, highlighting ongoing instability even as efforts continue to maintain peace.

Questions About Hamas’ Commitment

The misidentification of the fourth body raises serious concerns about Hamas’s ability and willingness to comply with the truce brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation. Israeli officials have demanded a full accounting of all deceased hostages as mediators work to maintain the ceasefire, which has so far paused two years of devastating conflict.

The situation underscores the fragile nature of peace in the region and the challenges in balancing humanitarian needs, political pressures, and security concerns.