Hamas to return bodies of three Israeli captives at 1800 GMT

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Official statement
2 Nov 2025 21:48

Hamas' armed wing announced plans to return the bodies of three Israeli captives as part of the ongoing ceasefire exchange.

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Palestinian resistance fighters, along with the Red Cross, search beneath the rubble of destroyed homes for the remains of Israeli detainees to be handed over as part of the ceasefire agreement (Agencies)

Hamas’ Resistance movement's military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, announced that it will return the bodies of three Israeli captives later on Sunday as part of the ongoing exchange process outlined in the ceasefire agreement.

“The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades will hand over the bodies... that were found earlier today along the route of one of the tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip at 8:00 pm Gaza time (1800 GMT),” the group said in a statement shared on its Telegram channel.

The transfer comes amid a fragile truce that has been in place since October 10 under a US-brokered arrangement aimed at securing the release of all Israeli captives, both alive and deceased. While "Israel" has repeatedly violated the truce through daily attacks and demolitions, the ceasefire has nonetheless remained in place, permitting the gradual exchange process between the two sides.

Recovery Challenges

Since the start of the truce, Hamas has freed 20 living captives and begun the process of returning the remains of those killed. Of the 28 bodies covered by the agreement, 17 have been handed over so far, including 15 Israelis, one Thai national, and one Nepalese citizen.

Israeli officials have accused Hamas of delaying the process, while the Palestinian movement says the operation is hindered by the difficult task of locating remains buried under extensive destruction in Gaza. It is worth noting that Israeli airstrikes have been responsible for devastating over 70% of the entire Gaza Strip, leaving vast areas in ruins and severely complicating recovery efforts.

Families of those still missing have renewed calls for decisive government action. “The Hostage Families demand that the prime minister act with determination and firmness in order to bring about the immediate realisation of Hamas' commitments under the agreement and to return all of the deceased hostages to Israel's hands,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement.