Israel announced on Tuesday that it has received the coffin of a hostage who was held in Gaza, with the remains now undergoing a forensic examination to confirm the individual’s identity. This development comes as part of ongoing efforts to return hostages held by Palestinian militant groups in Gaza under a ceasefire deal mediated by the United States.

Ongoing Hostage Returns and Ceasefire Agreement

Prior to this handover, the bodies of three deceased hostages were still in Gaza: two Israeli citizens and one Thai national. The return of these hostages is part of a broader agreement between Israel, Hamas, and allied militant groups, which was initiated under a US-brokered ceasefire that went into effect on October 10, 2025.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the receipt of the coffin, stating:

“Israel has received, via the Red Cross, the coffin of a fallen hostage.”

The coffin was handed over to the Israeli military and security services in Gaza and then transported to Israel, where it was received in a solemn military ceremony. Following the ceremony, the remains were transferred to the National Centre of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification. An AFP journalist witnessed a white van, escorted by police vehicles and motorcycle outriders, entering the forensic center, where police officers lined up outside and saluted.

Families Await Confirmation

Netanyahu’s office emphasized that the families of the fallen hostages will be formally notified once the identification process is complete. “Our hearts are with the families in this difficult hour,” the statement read.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed its role in facilitating the transfer, acting as a neutral intermediary to ensure the safe handover of the deceased. Meanwhile, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad reported that it located the body of a hostage on Monday during search operations in central Gaza, identifying it as one of the last three remaining hostages.

Context: The Israel-Gaza Conflict and Hostage Situation

The current situation traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,221 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. In response, Israel conducted a retaliatory assault on Gaza, which has killed at least 69,775 people, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry that are considered reliable by the UN.

At the start of the ceasefire, militants were holding 20 living hostages and 28 bodies of deceased captives. While all living hostages were released early in the ceasefire, the return of deceased hostages has been delayed due to difficulties in reaching bodies buried under rubble. In exchange, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returned the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians.

Remaining Hostages

Before Tuesday’s handover, three hostages’ bodies remained in Gaza:

• Dror Or, 48, head chef and cheesemaker from Beeri kibbutz, killed during the initial Hamas attack.
• Sudthisak Rinthalak, 43, a Thai agricultural worker from Beeri, Thailand, also killed in the attack.
• Ran Gvili, 24, an officer in the Yasam elite police unit, who died while responding to the attack at Alumim kibbutz.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum emphasized on X (formerly Twitter): “Dror, Ran, and Sudthisak must come back. We will not stop until they return.” Gvili’s sister, Shira, expressed her grief: “I miss my brother terribly and want him to come back. We are exhausted. The constant fear that it simply won’t happen is tiring.”

Fragile Truce in Gaza

The ongoing handovers highlight the fragile nature of the current ceasefire and the challenges involved in recovering the remains of hostages amid ongoing conflict-related destruction. Israel has repeatedly stated that its efforts to retrieve all hostages, living or deceased, will continue until the last person is returned safely.