Hamas says return of Israeli hostages' bodies may take more time

Gaza City (Web Desk): Hamas has stated that the return of the bodies of Israeli hostages may take additional time due to the complex conditions in Gaza.

According to the group’s leadership, several of the bodies are buried deep inside collapsed tunnels, while others remain trapped beneath heavy rubble.

Hamas explained that retrieving these bodies requires specialized equipment, which is currently unavailable due to Israeli restrictions.

The group recently handed over the remains of two Israeli hostages to Israel under the Gaza peace agreement.

The transfer was carried out through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which delivered the bodies to Israeli forces stationed in Gaza.

In a brief statement, the Al-Qassam Brigades — the military wing of Hamas — said they were fulfilling their obligations regarding the Israeli hostages in line with the Trump-era plan.

The group added that it had already returned all the bodies that were accessible under current conditions.

Hamas reaffirmed that it continues efforts to recover the remaining bodies but emphasized that the process requires specific machinery and logistical support to remove debris safely.

So far, Hamas has handed over the bodies of ten Israeli hostages — eight in earlier stages and two more in the latest exchange.

According to an international media report, many of the hostages held by Hamas are believed to have been killed during intense Israeli bombardments on Gaza.

The report added that both sides now face mounting pressure to take further steps toward resolving this sensitive humanitarian issue.