Israel announced Sunday that it had received the remains of three hostages from Gaza, as forensic experts began examining them amid a fragile ceasefire that has largely held for a month.
Hamas earlier said the remains were discovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza. The handover marks the latest development in a tense and slow-moving exchange under a U.S.-brokered truce that began Oct. 10. Since then, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 believed to remain in Gaza before Sunday’s transfer.
Israel’s military said official identification of the remains would be made privately with the families. Later Sunday, President Donald Trump confirmed that among those returned was Omer Neutra, an American-Israeli citizen and tank platoon commander in the Israel Defense Forces.
Trump said he had spoken with Neutra’s family, calling the moment both “relieving and heartbreaking.” Israeli officials believe Neutra, a native of Long Island, New York, was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that triggered the devastating war.
“They were thrilled, in one sense, but in another sense, obviously, it’s not too great,” Trump said.
In recent weeks, militants have handed over one or two bodies at a time. Israeli officials have expressed frustration with the pace of returns, saying some remains provided have not belonged to hostages. Hamas has blamed the delays on Gaza’s massive destruction, which has complicated recovery efforts.
Families of hostages continue to hold weekly rallies urging restraint and renewed diplomacy. At a Saturday night vigil in Jerusalem, Moran Harari, a friend of slain hostage Carmel Gat, pleaded for peace. “This cursed war has taken so many lives of dear people on both sides. This time, we must not fall into it again,” Harari said.
Israel has, in turn, released the remains of 15 Palestinians in exchange for those of one Israeli hostage. Gaza’s Health Ministry said its ability to identify returned bodies has been hindered by a lack of DNA kits. Of the 225 Palestinian bodies handed over since the ceasefire began, only 75 have been positively identified.
The remains exchanges form a central part of the U.S.-mediated 20-point ceasefire plan, which includes an international stabilization force made up of Arab and allied nations. The proposed mission would coordinate with Egypt and Jordan to secure Gaza’s borders and uphold the truce.
Several nations have shown interest in participating but have called for a United Nations Security Council mandate before committing troops. Ongoing questions remain about Hamas’ disarmament, postwar governance of Gaza, and expanding humanitarian aid deliveries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Hamas still maintains a presence in Rafah and Khan Younis, areas under Israeli military control. “They will be eliminated,” he told his Cabinet.
The 2023 Hamas-led assault killed about 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 taken hostage, sparking the bloodiest conflict in the region’s history. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has since killed more than 68,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Israel denies allegations of genocide raised by U.N. investigators and other bodies, disputing the casualty figures but offering no alternative count.
