Hamas Releases Two More Hostage Bodies to Israel Amid Rafah Crossing Closure

Hamas has released the bodies of two deceased hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza as part of ongoing efforts to recover and return the remains of captives. This follows a ceasefire deal under which Hamas has already returned the remains of several hostages, including the recently identified Eliyahu Margalit, a 75-year-old killed during the October 7, 2023 attack. Israel has conditioned the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on the full return of hostage remains, prompting Hamas to continue its handovers despite limited excavation resources. The ICRC emphasized respectful handling of the deceased, with Israeli forensic authorities responsible for identification in Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns persist in Gaza due to damaged infrastructure amid the conflict. The ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, has also led to Israel releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and 135 Palestinian bodies since early October.