Oct. 27 (UPI) — The Red Cross received the remains of a deceased hostage from Hamas in Gaza on Monday, Israel Defense Forces announced, as the search continues for a dozen slain hostages still buried in the Gaza Strip.
The body of one hostage was delivered Monday evening in a coffin, which was then taken to IDF troops in Gaza. No identity was released.
“The IDF requests that the public act with sensitivity and wait for the official identification, which will first be provided to the families,” according to a joint statement by IDF and the Israel Security Agency.
The remains of the unidentified hostage were returned after Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced a body would be released that day. Forensic tests will be used to identify the remains.
The body was discovered during excavation efforts in the Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, which is currently on the Hamas side of the Yellow Line as specified by the terror group’s cease-fire deal with Israel.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump warned Hamas to speed up its work and return the hostages’ remains more quickly.
“Hamas is going to have to start returning the bodies of the deceased hostages, including two Americans, quickly,” Trump wrote. The president, who helped broker the Gaza cease-fire deal earlier this month, also issued a 48-hour deadline.
“Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely,” he added.
Before Monday, Hamas had located and returned 15 hostage remains, but reported difficulty in locating the bodies of 13 others. Over the weekend, Egypt sent experts and equipment to help retrieve those hostages under the rubble.
Twelve deceased hostages are still in Gaza.
