Two coffins containing the bodies of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas have been transferred to the Red Cross and are currently being transported to Israeli forces in Gaza, according to an official announcement by the Israel Defense Forces. The military confirmed on X that it received information from the Red Cross verifying the handover, marking another step in the ongoing process of recovering those captured during the conflict.
The Israeli military stressed that Hamas is obligated under the ceasefire agreement, negotiated with US involvement, to comply fully and return all deceased hostages without delay. The IDF reiterated that compliance with the agreement is non-negotiable and that any deviation by Hamas would be treated as a violation of the truce terms.
Earlier, Hamas publicly stated its intention to return the bodies of two Israeli captives, whose remains are expected to undergo forensic examination and identification once they reach Israel. This announcement came immediately after a deadly escalation in Gaza, where Israeli strikes reportedly killed over one hundred people. Both sides subsequently accused each other of undermining the fragile ceasefire. Israel asserted that its military action was a direct response to a Palestinian attack that resulted in the death of an Israeli soldier, calling it a breach of the ceasefire framework.
Despite the renewed violence, Israeli officials have said they intend to uphold the truce while responding forcefully to any provocation. Under the ongoing agreement, Hamas has already freed living hostages in exchange for a large number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, while Israel has suspended active combat operations and permitted additional humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Part of the negotiated deal also includes Hamas returning the remains of all hostages who died in captivity. In return, Israel agreed to release hundreds of Palestinian fighters killed during the conflict. Although 15 bodies have been transferred so far, critics in Israel argue that Hamas is stalling. Hamas, for its part, claims the process is logistically complicated and time-consuming due to conditions on the ground.
The dispute over the transfer of remains has created a serious challenge for US President Donald Trump, who has been attempting to secure a lasting resolution to the Gaza war. Key unresolved issues include how Gaza will be governed in the future and whether Hamas will ultimately surrender its weapons. Both sides continue to trade accusations of ceasefire violations, highlighting the deep mistrust that persists.
Following a fresh clash that killed an Israeli soldier, the Israeli military launched retaliatory airstrikes. Gaza health authorities later reported over a hundred deaths, including many women and children. The Israeli armed forces countered that their strikes targeted militant infrastructure and fighters, emphasizing that they were responding to security threats.
Witnesses in Gaza described renewed airstrikes near Khan Younis and artillery fire near Gaza City. Although authorities reported no immediate casualties from the latest strikes, the activity reignited fear that full-scale hostilities could resume. Residents, already displaced multiple times, expressed anxiety over the possibility of another cycle of war. Many continue to live in makeshift shelters, relying on improvised means for water and cooking, uncertain when or if they will be able to return to their homes.
The situation underscores the fragile and unstable nature of the ceasefire. While diplomatic efforts continue, tensions on the ground remain high, and both sides appear braced for the possibility of renewed conflict, leaving civilians caught in prolonged uncertainty.
