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Israel Identifies Returned Hostage Remains as Tanzanian Student Joshua Loitu Mollel

The confirmation reinforces a U.S.-mediated ceasefire phase that conditions further steps on the full return of Israeli hostages’ remains.

Overview

  • Hamas handed the remains to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Israeli authorities confirmed the identity as 21-year-old Joshua Loitu Mollel.
  • Gaza hospitals received 15 Palestinian bodies from Israel in the latest exchange, bringing reported Palestinian returns to 285 under the arrangement.
  • Roughly six deceased hostages are still reported in Gaza as exchanges proceed with one to three sets of remains transferred every few days.
  • Limited DNA testing capacity in Gaza is slowing identifications, leading health officials to post photographs of remains online to aid families.
  • Israeli media reported new leads on long-held remains including Lt. Hadar Goldin, though the IDF denied having specific tunnel information, while Egyptian teams assisted search efforts in Shijaiya.