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Red Cross, Egypt collaborate to search for hostage remains in Gaza
(MENAFN) Egyptian teams and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been permitted to search for the bodies of hostages killed during the 7 October attacks, Israeli authorities confirmed. The teams are allowed to operate beyond the “yellow line,” the boundary marking the area Israel withdrew to under the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire.
Israeli media also reported that Hamas personnel have been authorized to enter the IDF-controlled zone to assist in the search alongside the ICRC. Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas must hand over all deceased hostages; 15 of 28 have already been transferred. The group is now coordinating efforts with Egyptian authorities.
Donald Trump has urged Hamas to return the bodies quickly, warning that other nations involved in the peace plan could take action. Israeli officials said Egyptian teams will work with the ICRC using excavators and trucks to locate remains beyond the yellow line.
Historically, Hamas does not hand over hostages directly to Israeli forces but transfers them via the ICRC, which then delivers them to the IDF. The inclusion of Egyptian excavation teams in Gaza is a new development.
The UN estimates that more than 84% of Gaza has been destroyed following two years of Israeli bombardment, complicating recovery efforts. An Israeli spokesperson said Hamas knows the locations of the bodies and could retrieve them if it exerted more effort. Trump echoed these concerns on Truth Social, emphasizing that some remains could be returned immediately.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will decide which foreign forces are allowed to join a planned international contingent to secure the ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that several countries had offered to participate, though Israel must approve the participants—a possible reference to Turkey.
The ongoing conflict stems from the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which killed roughly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed at least 68,519 residents since the campaign began.
Israeli media also reported that Hamas personnel have been authorized to enter the IDF-controlled zone to assist in the search alongside the ICRC. Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas must hand over all deceased hostages; 15 of 28 have already been transferred. The group is now coordinating efforts with Egyptian authorities.
Donald Trump has urged Hamas to return the bodies quickly, warning that other nations involved in the peace plan could take action. Israeli officials said Egyptian teams will work with the ICRC using excavators and trucks to locate remains beyond the yellow line.
Historically, Hamas does not hand over hostages directly to Israeli forces but transfers them via the ICRC, which then delivers them to the IDF. The inclusion of Egyptian excavation teams in Gaza is a new development.
The UN estimates that more than 84% of Gaza has been destroyed following two years of Israeli bombardment, complicating recovery efforts. An Israeli spokesperson said Hamas knows the locations of the bodies and could retrieve them if it exerted more effort. Trump echoed these concerns on Truth Social, emphasizing that some remains could be returned immediately.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will decide which foreign forces are allowed to join a planned international contingent to secure the ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that several countries had offered to participate, though Israel must approve the participants—a possible reference to Turkey.
The ongoing conflict stems from the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which killed roughly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed at least 68,519 residents since the campaign began.
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