Crime

By Pesach Benson • October 30, 2025

Jerusalem, 30 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel is preparing Thursday for the return of two slain hostages from Gaza, marking the first recovery of remains in more than a week.

While Hamas’ announcement did not identify which two, the terror group on Tuesday claimed it had located the bodies of Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper. However, Hamas did not hand them over, blaming Israeli airstrikes in Rafah following a Hamas attack that killed an Israeli reservist.

Baruch, 27, from Kibbutz Beeri, was abducted on October 7 and killed during a failed rescue attempt in December 2024. Cooper, 85, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was confirmed dead in June 2024 based on intelligence assessments.

Hamas will hand the remains over to the International Red Cross, which will transfer them to Israeli forces in Gaza. After a brief ceremony, the bodies will be taken to Israel forensic identification.

Hamas currently holds the remains of 13 hostages in Gaza.

Hamas is believed to know the exact locations of five, while another five may be found using excavation tools. The remaining three are belieed missing, with even Hamas unaware of their fate.

Israeli officials believe Hamas is intentionally delaying the return of the bodies as part of an effort to maintain leverage in Gaza and resist anticipated disarmament demands ahead of the expected deployment of an international stabilization force.

Around 1,200 people were killed and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.