Identified Gaza Hostages Deepen Rafah Dispute

Hamas handed over additional bodies to the ICRC this week, and Israeli authorities have formally identified several of the returned remains, including Eliyahu Margalit, Ronen Engel and Sonthaya Oakkharasri. Hamas says it has repatriated all deceased it could reach and that specialist recovery equipment is needed to retrieve other remains from rubble and inaccessible areas, while Israel accuses Hamas of using some remains as bargaining chips. The delay in returning the remaining bodies, slow aid deliveries and continuing isolated Israeli strikes have strained a fragile ceasefire and made reopening the Rafah crossing contingent on full compliance with handover commitments. Israeli officials have threatened to keep Rafah closed or resume military operations if all 28 deceased hostages are not returned, and the United States has warned of credible reports that Hamas may plan an imminent ceasefire violation. Mediators are continuing negotiations on the ceasefire’s next phase — including aid access, Gaza governance, demilitarisation and an international security presence — even as families press for the return of the remaining remains.