Search efforts for deceased hostages in Gaza have expanded, with Israel permitting Red Cross and Egyptian specialist teams to cross into territory beyond its military perimeter, an Israeli government official confirmed.
Hamas announced Sunday it has broadened its search operations following the arrival of Egyptian experts equipped with heavy machinery, including excavators and bulldozers, to assist in recovery efforts alongside Red Cross personnel.
“Israel is aware that Hamas knows where our deceased hostages are, in fact, located. If Hamas made more of an effort, they would be able to retrieve the remains of our hostages,” the government spokesperson stated.
The teams have been granted access beyond the “yellow line,” a military boundary established under the current ceasefire agreement that typically limits Israeli Defence Forces movement in Gaza.
Ceasefire Terms and Recovery Challenges
The US-brokered ceasefire hinges on Hamas returning all remains of Israeli hostages promptly. However, five days into the agreement, no bodies have been handed over.
Thirteen hostage bodies remain in Gaza. Hamas leader Khalil al Hayya said the organization began searching new areas Sunday morning, noting that extensive destruction has complicated retrieval efforts, with some remains buried deep beneath rubble.
Under ceasefire terms, Israel committed to returning 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage body recovered. To date, Israel has repatriated 195 Palestinian remains, while Hamas has returned 15 hostage bodies.
International Pressure Mounts
President Donald Trump issued a warning Saturday via Truth Social, stating he is “watching very closely” to ensure Hamas fulfills its obligations.
“Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now and, for some reason, they are not,” Trump wrote. “Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours.”
Several senior US officials have visited Israel recently to monitor ceasefire implementation, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. They toured a newly established coordination center overseeing the ceasefire.
Ceasefire Violations Alleged
Tensions flared Saturday night when Israeli forces struck the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza for the second time in a week, according to Awda Hospital reports.
The IDF stated it targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants allegedly planning attacks on Israeli troops. The group, Gaza’s second-largest militant organization, denied preparation for any assault.
Hamas condemned the strike as a “clear violation” of the ceasefire, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to undermine President Trump’s peace efforts. The strike occurred hours after Secretary Rubio departed Israel.
