Jerusalem, 25 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned what he called an unacceptable delay by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in returning the body of a hostage found in central Gaza, saying the hold-up violates existing understandings.
“In light of the Islamic Jihad’s announcement regarding the location of findings related to a deceased hostage, Israel views with severity the delay in their immediate transfer into its hands,” Netanyahu’s office said. “This constitutes a further violation of the agreement. Israel demands the immediate return of the three deceased hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip.”
More than 24 hours have passed since Islamic Jihad confirmed Al Jazeera’s report that the body of a hostage was discovered near Nuseirat on Monday.
Hamas typically announces plans to transfer recovered remains, even when they are held by Islamic Jihad. However, Hamas has not issued any statement, and Islamic Jihad has given no indication it intends to hand over the body. Neither terror group has been in touch with the International Red Cross, which transfers remains between the terror groups and the Israel Defense Forces.
Around 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The bodies of two Israelis — Dror Or and Master Sgt. Ran Gvili — and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak are still in Gaza.
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