Israel announced that the remains of three individuals returned by Hamas on Friday do not correspond to any of the deceased hostages they are still seeking.
According to Fox News, forensic examinations conducted by Israeli authorities confirmed that the remains do not belong to the 11 hostages whose bodies are believed to be in Gaza. Following these findings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office informed The Associated Press that the remains are not those of the hostages. However, the identities of the remains have not been disclosed, leaving questions about who these individuals were and why they were returned to Israel.
Since the U.S.-facilitated ceasefire commenced earlier this month, Hamas has returned the remains of 17 hostages. In some cases, Israel has noted discrepancies, pointing out that some remains returned by Hamas did not match those of the hostages still unaccounted for. Previously, additional remains belonging to Ofir Tzarfati were returned, after his body was initially recovered in 2023.
A deceased hostage’s body, which had been held in Gaza since the violent attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, was transported by the Red Cross after being handed over by Hamas in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on October 30, 2025. (Ramadan Abed/Reuters)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emphasized its role in the process, clarifying in a statement that it is not involved in locating the remains of hostages.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) made clear its role in the transfer of hostages’ remains. In a statement, the ICRC said that it “does not take part in locating the remains.”
“In accordance with international humanitarian law, it is the responsibility of the parties to search for, collect, and return the dead,” the ICRC said.
Red Cross vehicles arrive to receive from Hamas the bodies of deceased hostages who had been held in Gaza since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-for-prisoners swap deal, in Gaza City on Oct. 14, 2025. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)
On Thursday, Israel received the remains of Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch, leaving 11 deceased hostages in the Gaza Strip, including U.S. citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.
Israeli intelligence suggests Cooper was alive when he was taken from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it estimates Cooper was killed in February 2024. He was 84 years old. Cooper leaves behind a wife, four children and 11 grandchildren.
Participants hold a large banner during a rally held by hostage families and supporters at “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters)
Baruch was taken from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri during the massacre. The IDF said that it estimates he was murdered on Dec. 8, 2023, at the age of 25. Baruch leaves behind his parents and two siblings.
In addition to Neutra and Chen, the remaining deceased hostages include Meny Godard, Hadar Goldin, Ran Gvili, Asaf Hamami, Joshua Loitu Mollel, Dror Or, Oz Daniel, Lior Rudaeff and Sudthisak Rinthalak.
