A body returned to Israel by Hamas yesterday is not an Israeli hostage, officials have told local media.
Tests conducted on the bodies revealed that one belongs to a Gazan.
The other three remains were identified as Tamir Nimrodi, Eitan Levy, and Uriel Baruch.
After the identities of three of the bodies were revealed, forensic scientists in Israel indicated that they were investigating the possibility that one did not belong to one of the 24 who died in captivity in Gaza.
Earlier this year, Hamas officials returned a body they claimed belong to Shiri Bibas, who was one of the hostages. It was later confirmed that it belonged to a Palestinian.
One of the stipulations of Us president Donald Trump‘s 20-point peace plan was the release of all hostages – dead or alive.
But Hamas’ failure to provide the remains of the deceased has led to fears that the peace deal is already at risk.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Red Cross had joined in the search for the bodies.
A vehicle belonging to the charity was seen heading to the ‘Kissufim’ area to look for bodies in the ruins of Gaza.
After the release of all living hostages on Monday, Israel ordered Hamas to deliver the bodies of all dead hostages by the end of Tuesday.
Relatives of hostages whose bodies are still in Gaza hold up placards and demand their release
A vehicle carrying the bodies of hostages is seen arriving into Israel
Israel has now refused to increase aid that was due to go into Gaza. Meanwhile, Trump expressed his disappointment in Hamas’ failure to provide the bodies.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: ‘IS NOT DONE’. He also added: ‘THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED!’
While the world celebrated the release of the living hostages, only four caskets containing those who died arrived, provoking fury across Israel.
After Netanyahu’s Tuesday deadline, Hamas vowed to send another four. Their military confirmed that their coffins were collected by the Red Cross.
But yesterday, a spokesman for the charity said the search for the bodies would be a massive challenge.
Christian Cardon said: ‘I think there is clearly a risk that that will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that that should be their top priority.’
He also indicated that it could take days or weeks to retrieve the remains.
The Red Cross said it was providing an additional 23 staff, body bags and refrigerated vehicles to ensure the deceased are handled with respect and dignity within Gaza.
IDF troops receive remains of killed hostages at official ceremony, October 13, 2025
Red Cross vehicles transport the bodies of deceased hostages who had been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, after they were handed over by Hamas militants as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City, October 14, 2025
A body returned to Israel by Hamas has been identified as a Gazan
After the return of the bodies last night, Netanyahu said: ‘All the families of the hostages have been updated on the matter, and in this difficult hour, our hearts are with them.
‘The effort to bring back our hostages continues relentlessly and will not stop until the last hostage is returned.’
The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum, yesterday, called the failure to return all the deceased a ‘blatant breach’ of the deal.
It said: ‘We expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice.’
‘The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow.
‘We will not abandon any hostage. The mediators must enforce the agreement’s terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation.’
The group also wrote a letter to US special envoy Steve Witkoff asking him to ‘pull out every stop and leave no stone unturned’ in ensuring that the bodies are found and returned.
In addition to the Red Cross’ efforts, a joint multinational task force involving Israel, the US, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar was established to locate the bodies.
This is a breaking news story with more to follow.
