Israel claims Hamas did not comply with the agreement when handing over the remains

Hamas has handed over the remains of two dead hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, an official involved in the operation confirmed.

However, the movement's armed wing had previously announced that it would hand over four bodies. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz therefore does not consider this measure to be a fulfillment of Hamas' obligations.

According to the agreement, all hostages from Gaza (20) who are known to be alive must be released within 72 hours of the withdrawal of troops, and the bodies of those who have died (28) are also expected to be handed over. However, Hamas has announced that the search for all the bodies could take longer, as the location of some of them is unknown.

Katz pointed out that any delay or deliberate avoidance of the handover constitutes a violation of the agreement and will result in an appropriate response from Israel.

As part of the exchange, all twenty living hostages have already been released, while more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are soon to be released as part of the US-brokered ceasefire.

(reuters, sie)