Israel: Remains returned from Gaza do not match dead hostages

Israel said on Wednesday that forensic testing confirmed the remains handed over by Palestinian militants from Gaza on Tuesday do not belong to any of the hostages killed during Hamas’ 2023 attack.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying the findings were the result of thorough forensic analysis and emphasized that the remains are unrelated to the hostages who were abducted and killed in the surprise Hamas assault on southern Israel in October 2023, which claimed hundreds of lives and sparked a major military response.

The remains handed over Tuesday were reportedly found in Beit Lahiya, a town in northern Gaza, according to Palestinian media reports. Only two deceased hostages remain in Gaza, bringing the sides closer to completing the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire.

Since the truce took effect in early October, 20 living hostages and the remains of 26 others have been returned to Israel. The exchanges have been a central component of the fragile ceasefire, which both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating at different points.

Officials in Jerusalem emphasized that while the first phase of the hostage and remains' return is nearing completion, forensic verification remains crucial to ensure accuracy and accountability.