Israel receives remains of hostage held in Gaza as Cairo hosts follow-up talks

26/11/2025 6:27

Israel said it had received from the Red Cross on Tuesday the remains of a deceased hostage who had been held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, with the bodies of two still to be located more than six weeks into a fragile ceasefire.



The Israeli prime minister's office did not name the deceased former hostage, saying the remains would be handed over to the National Center of Forensic Medicine for identification.



Under the October deal between Hamas and Israel after two years of devastating war, Hamas freed all 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees held by Israel.



The pact also stipulated the return of the remains of 28 hostages in exchange for the remains of 360 Palestinian militants.