Tel Aviv, Israel – The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that the remains received via the International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday from the Gaza Strip do not belong to any of the hostages who were being held.
The statement clarified that the national forensic examination confirmed the samples did not belong to any of the 48 hostages. All of them are scheduled to be released under the ceasefire agreement that began on October 10.
Hamas still holds two of the 28 bodies, including that of Thai worker Sudthisak Rinthalak. Netanyahu’s office emphasized the ongoing efforts to liaise with health authorities to ensure the dignified return of the remaining bodies to their families.
For its part, Hamas said the remains could not be identified, citing the challenges posed by the widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip after two years of intense fighting. The United Nations has documented the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including civilians.
These developments come as medical evacuation efforts for Gaza residents continue, according to Doctors Without Borders, amid difficulties in providing the necessary care.
