Gaza – October 16, 2025
Hamas has confirmed the handover of additional bodies to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), amid mounting tensions surrounding the fate of hostages still held in Gaza. The group stated that it is currently unable to access the remaining bodies, citing the need for specialist equipment to locate and retrieve them.
The announcement comes in the wake of controversy after Israeli authorities confirmed that a body previously returned by Hamas did not match the identity of a missing hostage, raising concerns over the accuracy of the handovers and transparency in the process.
According to multiple reports, Hamas is obligated to return all 48 remaining hostages as part of the first phase of the proposed Gaza peace plan, which is being brokered with international support to end the months-long conflict.
While efforts to retrieve all hostages continue, the latest developments have added strain to already fragile negotiations, with both sides trading accusations over delays and breaches of the agreed terms.
The Red Cross has yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the latest handover or the condition of the bodies received.