Israel Confirms One Of Four Bodies Returned by Hamas Is Not A Hostage

Israel's military has confirmed that one of the four bodies recently returned by Hamas does not belong to a hostage, following forensic examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine. Of the four bodies delivered through the Red Cross late Tuesday, only three-Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levy-were verified as matching the list of known Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks. The identity of the fourth body remains undetermined, with Israeli authorities noting that it could belong to a Palestinian or another individual not listed among the hostages.

The error comes amid a fragile ongoing ceasefire and growing pressure on Hamas to return the remains of all deceased hostages as stipulated in the deal between Israel and Hamas. Similar instances of unrelated bodies being handed over have occurred before. Israel continues to insist that Hamas fulfill its obligation to return the bodies of all remaining hostages.

Since the start of the ceasefire agreement, only eight out of 28 deceased Israeli hostages have been returned.