“We handed the bodies over to stop the claims of Israel,” Hamas’ armed wing said.
JERUSALEM — The remains of three people handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross this week do not belong to any hostages, Israel said Saturday, in a setback that could undermine a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
The exchange followed Israel’s return of 30 Palestinian bodies to Gaza on Friday, completing a trade after militants earlier handed over remains of two hostages. Israeli officials said intelligence indicated the latest remains “did not belong to any of the hostages” seized during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the findings without elaboration.
Hamas’ armed wing said it handed over the bodies “to stop the claims of Israel,” adding that it had earlier offered to provide samples, which Israel refused.
The fragile ceasefire remains under strain as both sides accuse each other of violating terms while international mediators push to sustain the truce.