Image Credit: Anadolu / Contributor / Getty 
Palestinians reportedly fear that if the return of dead Israeli bodies is bungled, the delicate Donald Trump ceasefire may crumble faster than Gaza City. The bodies belonged to Israeli hostages kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas. The deceased had died or been killed while in captivity. While the surviving 20 hostages were already returned, Hamas’s continued possession of the dead bodies keeps the situation tense for the living.
“Fears are growing among Palestinians in Gaza that a delay by Hamas in handing over the bodies of Israeli hostages could derail the fragile ceasefire, after seven Palestinians were killed earlier today in two separate incidents described by Hamas’s civil defence as Israeli attacks,” the BBC said Tuesday morning. “Many residents tell the BBC they are worried the violence could risk the truce and derail the start of the second phase of negotiations, talks that will determine Gaza’s future governance, the fate of Hamas’s weapons, and the start of reconstruction.”
As of the publication of this article, a set of four Israeli bodies have been returned, and will be collected by The Red Cross. 24 dead Israeli bodies remain in possession of Hamas.
CNN reported on Thursday that Hamas may not be able to return all the bodies, “a fact that may complicate efforts to finalize a deal to end the war.” This is due to Hamas not knowing the location of the bodies, or Hamas being unable to retrieve the remains due to various physical constraints.
The BBC detailed the latest on the difficult body-return effort underway in Gaza:
Hamas says some of the hostages’ bodies remain trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardment, and has requested assistance to locate them.
“We understand it’s gonna take a little while longer, but we’re gonna keep struggling for every single [hostage] to be back home,” Udi says.
“We can’t move forward until we get all of them back.”
President Donald Trump said the job is not over until all the hostages are returned, living or dead.
ALL TWENTY HOSTAGES ARE BACK AND FEELING AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED. A big burden has been lifted, but the job IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS
PROMISED! Phase Two begins right NOW!!! President DJT
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 12:55 PM EST 10/14/25 pic.twitter.com/inEeqxd79e
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) October 14, 2025
Geopolitical expert Joel Skousen explained (at 2:34:30 into the September 29 Alex Jones Show) how the remains are extremely important to Israel, as many Jews do not believe in the eternal life of the soul after death.
