What’s holding up the return of five hostages’ remains from Gaza | World News

The process of returning the remains of five hostages still held in Gaza has slowed, despite a US-brokered ceasefire that began on October 10, The Associated Press (AP) reported.Since the truce took effect, Palestinian militants have handed over the remains of 23 hostages who had been held for nearly two years. But Hamas says it cannot reach all of the bodies because some are buried under rubble caused Israel’s ongoing offensive.
Story continues below this ad

Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the process and warned it could resume military operations or limit humanitarian aid if all the remains are not returned soon.

Bodies exchanged under truce deal

In the latest exchange, Hamas returned the remains of Lior Rudaeff, a 61-year-old Israeli who was killed during the group’s attack on 7 October 2023 during the assault that began the war.

In response, Israel handed over 285 Palestinian bodies to Gaza. Israeli officials did not disclose their identities, and it remains unclear whether they were people killed in Israel during the 2023 attack, detainees who died in Israeli custody, or those taken from Gaza during the conflict.

Relatives and friends mourn over the coffin of slain hostage Israeli-American Capt. Omer Neutra during his funeral, after his body was returned from Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, at Kiryat Shaul cemetery, in Tel Aviv, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (AP Photo)

Health officials in Gaza said they have identified 84 of the returned bodies so far but lack DNA kits to confirm the rest.

US President Donald Trump, whose adminration helped mediate the ceasefire, has urged both sides to “fully implement the terms of the truce,” according to the AP.

The five hostages still held

The five people whose remains have yet to be returned include:

Meny Godard, 73, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri who was killed alongside his wife on 7 October 2023.

Hadar Goldin, 23, an Israeli soldier whose body has been held in Gaza since 2014.

Ran Gvili, 24, a police officer killed while helping others flee the Nova music festival.

Dror Or, 52, a dairy worker from Kibbutz Be’eri who died with his wife during the 2023 attack.

Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai farm worker kidnapped from the same kibbutz.

The Thai Foreign Minry has said that 46 Thai citizens have been killed since the conflict began, making them the largest group of foreign victims.

Ongoing pressure on both sides

Israeli officials say the return of all remains is required under the ceasefire deal. Hamas inss recovery efforts are complicated the destruction caused Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

Talks to secure the final handovers are continuing with mediation from US and Egyptian officials, the AP said.