Israel Says Three Bodies Returned From Gaza Are Not Hostage Remains

Overview

• Israeli authorities said forensic checks at the Abu Kabir institute concluded the three bodies transferred via the ICRC on October 31 do not match any of the remaining hostages.
• Hamas’s armed wing said it offered body samples before transfer but that Israel declined and demanded full remains for examination.
• The IDF accused Hamas of staging recoveries and released footage it says supports the claim, which Hamas disputes.
• Israeli forces conducted new strikes near Khan Yunis on November 1, citing ceasefire violations, as tensions rose over delays and verification of returns.
• Under the truce, Hamas has repatriated 17 of 28 agreed deceased after releasing 20 living hostages, with roughly ten hostage remains and a soldier killed in 2014 still in Gaza, alongside a 15-to-1 body return clause totaling 225 Palestinian bodies.