Tensions rose on Wednesday after the Israeli military confirmed that one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas overnight did not belong to an Israeli hostage. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), forensic examinations revealed that the fourth body does not match any of the hostages listed as missing.
In a statement, the IDF said, “Following examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages. Hamas is required to make all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages.”
Two Israeli sources told CNN that the unidentified remains appear to be those of a Palestinian from Gaza. Initial assessments suggest Hamas may have misidentified the body rather than deliberately sending the wrong one.
This is not the first time Hamas has returned the wrong remains. In February 2025, the group mistakenly handed over a body it claimed was that of Israeli mother Shiri Bibas, who had been abducted with her two sons. Forensic tests later revealed the body belonged to a Palestinian woman, prompting strong condemnation from Israel.
Meanwhile, Israel confirmed the identities of three of the four deceased hostages returned on Tuesday — Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi. Families expressed deep grief as they received the remains of their loved ones nearly two years after the October 7, 2023 attacks.
So far, Hamas has released only eight of the 28 deceased hostages still believed to be in Gaza. Israeli officials said they expect more bodies to be returned soon but warned that delays could affect the ongoing ceasefire and humanitarian aid deliveries.
The United Nations reported that Israel plans to reduce the number of aid trucks entering Gaza, citing the slow pace of hostage returns. Negotiations continue in Egypt as mediators push both sides to honor the ceasefire terms and expedite the release of remaining hostages.
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