Israel says it received body of another hostage held in Gaza amid dispute over delays

Israel said early on Oct 18 that the Red Cross had turned over the body of another dead hostage from Gaza to Israel’s military amid a dispute over delays in the return of remains under the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.

Hamas had said on Oct 17 it planned to transfer a dead hostage to the Red Cross.

This was the 10th dead hostage Israel has received out of 28 bodies held in Gaza. Hamas, citing technical problems, has said it needed heavy machinery and excavating equipment to speed up the process of locating bodies buried under rubble.

Israel, insisting Hamas knows the whereabouts of the hostages’ bodies, had said the group was running out of time.

Hamas has said it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement and to handing over the bodies of all remaining hostages
.

In a statement on Oct 17, Hamas’ armed wing said a new body had been recovered and would be released at 11pm local time.

An Israeli security source said the handover to the Red Cross was scheduled for 12.30am in Israel (5.30am Singapore time).

The issue has cast a shadow over the ceasefire agreement – the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war.

At a news conference in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Israel’s statements were worrying.

“Will Israel use Hamas’ incapability to locate bodies left under rubble... as an excuse and break the ceasefire? There is concern in the international community over this,” he said.

Earlier on Oct 17, Hamas called on mediators to push for the next steps under the ceasefire, including reopening the border, letting in aid, beginning reconstruction, setting up an administration and completing Israel’s withdrawal.

Fighting has largely stopped in Gaza
under Mr Trump’s plan, endorsed by mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. However, Gaza’s Civil Defence Service said on Oct 17 that 11 people were killed when Israeli troops opened fire on a vehicle south-east of Gaza City, including seven children and three women.

The Israeli military did not comment on the incident while Hamas again accused Israel of violating the ceasefire.

The 20 living hostages taken with others in an Oct 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel were returned from Gaza earlier this week.

Israel said on Oct 16 it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow Palestinians to move in and out, but gave no date as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of the ceasefire.

Other unresolved elements of the plan include the disarmament of militants and Gaza’s future governance. REUTERS