Israel has confirmed that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) have returned the body of Israeli hostage Dror Or, following forensic verification conducted overnight.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed its condolences to the Or family and emphasized that authorities are working relentlessly to recover the remaining two deceased hostages still in Gaza. Israel has urged Hamas to fulfill its obligations under the six-week-old Gaza ceasefire agreement and immediately return the last remaining bodies.
The transfer of Or’s body took place through the Red Cross after Hamas and PIJ announced on Monday that his remains were located in central Gaza. By Wednesday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) notified Or’s relatives that forensic experts at the National Centre of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv had confirmed his identity.
According to the IDF, the 48-year-old father of three was killed by PIJ militants during the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led assault on Kibbutz Be’eri before his body was taken to Gaza. His wife, Yonat, also lost her life in the attack, while their children Noam and Alma were abducted and later released during a November 2023 ceasefire deal.
The IDF reiterated its commitment to retrieving all remaining hostages and ensuring dignified burials for the deceased. The military also urged Hamas to comply fully with the ceasefire terms.
Under the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire, which began on 10 October, Hamas agreed to return 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased Israeli and foreign captives. In return, Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.
To date, 23 Israeli bodies and three foreign nationals—from Thailand, Nepal, and Tanzania—have been returned. Israel has already handed over 330 Palestinian bodies and is expected to transfer 15 more following the return of Or’s remains.
Two hostages still believed dead remain in Gaza: Israeli citizen Ran Gvili, 24, and Thai national Suthisak Rintalak, 43. Israel accuses Hamas of intentionally stalling, while Hamas claims it faces difficulties locating bodies buried under rubble.
The delays have slowed movement toward Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which includes a future governance framework for Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, disarmament of Hamas, and long-term reconstruction.
The conflict began after Hamas and its allies abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200 during the 7 October attack. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 69,770 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
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