Teams from Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have begun searching inside Gaza for the bodies of Israeli hostages taken during the 7 October attacks. Israel confirmed that both groups have been granted special access to operate beyond the “yellow line” — the area currently controlled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) under the ceasefire arrangement.
Israeli media reported that members of Hamas have also been allowed to assist in the searches alongside the ICRC, marking an unprecedented level of coordination since Israel withdrew its ground forces to the boundary line.
Under a US-brokered ceasefire deal, Hamas is obligated to return all deceased hostages. The group has so far transferred 15 out of 28 identified bodies. It says efforts are hampered by extensive destruction in the Strip, where the UN estimates around 84% of buildings have been reduced to rubble.
Egypt — along with Qatar and Turkey — is a key guarantor of the peace agreement signed in Sharm el-Sheikh earlier this month. Heavy machinery, including excavators and trucks, has entered Gaza under Egyptian supervision to assist in locating the remains.
Recovered bodies are handed by Hamas to the ICRC, which escorts them through Gaza and formally transfers them to the IDF. Families of those still missing say the new search effort offers hope for a dignified burial.
US President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Saturday to accelerate the return of remains, suggesting delays could prompt action from countries backing the peace deal. “Some of the bodies are difficult to reach, but others they can return now,” he posted. “Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Israel will determine which foreign forces are permitted to operate in Gaza to secure the ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that several nations are prepared to join a future international force, but deployment remains uncertain without an understanding with Hamas.
Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after the 7 October 2023 assault in which Hamas-led gunmen killed around 1,200 people in Israel and seized 251 others as hostages. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 68,500 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s offensive since then.
