Israel has reacted sharply to the news that human remains recently recovered from Hamas were not those of another man taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, but were instead the body of another hostage who was recovered by Israeli forces almost two years earlier.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called the incident a “clear violation of [ceasefire] agreement.”
Netanyahu said on Tuesday he would “hold security discussions with the heads of the security establishment to discuss Israel’s steps in response.”
Possible Israeli responses include refusing humanitarian aid deliveries, expanded control over Gaza, or targeting the Hamas leadership with air strikes.
The ceasefire agreement obliges Hamas to return the human remains of all 13 hostages under its control as soon as possible.
Hamas says the problem is that the bodies of the hostages are buried under tons of debris, making them difficult to find. Israel says militant Muslims are simply dragging their feet.
The group Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the Israeli government to take action, saying, “In light of Hamas’s serious violations of the accords last night … the Israeli government cannot and must not ignore it, and must act decisively against these violations.”
“Hamas knows the location of the hostages and continues to act with contempt, betraying the United States and mediators while insulting our loved ones.”