U.S. Joins Efforts to Recover Hostage Remains in Gaza
The ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is holding as of Thursday, despite tensions surrounding the recovery of missing hostages’ remains. Among the hostages are two U.S. nationals, and U.S. personnel will now participate in efforts to recover the remains of the 19 hostages who have yet to be returned. This announcement was made by Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Hamas has returned the bodies of two Israeli hostages, bringing the total number returned to nine. However, the group stated that it could not hand over any additional remains without specialized equipment for recovery. The situation remains complicated by the evidence of significant destruction in Gaza, which has made recovery efforts increasingly challenging.
On Wednesday, Israeli soldier Capt. Daniel Peretz was laid to rest after his family received his body, held in Gaza for over two years. Capt. Peretz was killed during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. His sister, Adina Peretz, expressed profound sorrow, stating, “It’s a new truth I have to face. It’s proof, proof, that you are really gone.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing families of Israeli hostages, has called for the peace process to halt until all bodies are returned. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz criticized Hamas for its limited handover of remains, labeling it a violation of the peace agreement. He warned that any further delays would be treated as a serious breach of the accord.
Despite these tensions, senior U.S. advisers have urged patience, emphasizing the complexities involved in retrieving the remains. They noted that the peace agreement has not been violated by either party at this stage. Gershon Baskin, an Israeli hostage negotiator, highlighted the dangers present in Gaza, where some commanders responsible for burying the hostages have been killed in previous conflicts. He remarked, “Some of the deceased hostages may never be found… we have to make sure that Hamas is doing everything possible to do it.”
Former President Donald Trump commented on the recovery efforts, describing them as “a gruesome process” and acknowledged the challenges faced by rescue teams. He stated, “They’re digging… and they’re finding a lot of bodies. Then they have to separate the bodies.”
The remains of two American-Israeli nationals, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, both members of the Israel Defense Forces, have not yet been recovered. In response to the ongoing crisis, Turkey has offered its assistance, proposing to send personnel with search and rescue expertise to support recovery efforts. Although no formal deployment plans have been confirmed, Turkish media indicated that up to 81 personnel could be dispatched to the region.
As part of the peace negotiations, Israel has agreed to return the bodies of 15 Palestinians for each hostage remains handed over by Hamas. The Red Cross has been facilitating the transfer of remains back to Gaza, but this process has encountered its own controversies. Sameh Hamad, a commission member tasked with receiving bodies, described evidence of torture and execution on some remains.
Hamas has also responded to the situation, alleging that the bodies returned by Israel displayed signs of “torture, mutilation, and field executions.” The group has called for international human rights organizations to investigate these claims and hold accountable those responsible.
Former hostages have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences, with one survivor, Keith Siegel, detailing instances of torture during his captivity. His testimony underscores the brutality of the conditions faced by those held by Hamas.
As the situation continues to develop, the international community remains watchful, hoping for a resolution that addresses the needs of both the families of hostages and the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
