Palestinian Militants Slow to Return Remains of Final Hostages

Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire began in Gaza on October 10, 2023, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 26 hostages. However, the progress on returning the remains of the final two hostages has been slow, raising concerns among families and officials. The situation highlights the ongoing complexities of the conflict and the human toll of the violence.

According to Hamas, the delay is due to the remains being buried under rubble from Israel’s extensive military operations in Gaza over the past two years. In response, Israel has accused the militants of stalling the process and has threatened to resume military actions or restrict humanitarian aid if all remains are not returned promptly.

Details of Recent Releases and Ongoing Efforts

In the latest development, the remains of Dror Or were returned. Or was killed by militants during an attack on Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel, where he had been assisting fellow officers. His wife, Yonat Or, also lost her life during the attack, while their two children, Noam and Alma, were abducted but later returned to Israel in a hostage exchange deal in November 2023.

In total, Israel has released the bodies of 330 Palestinians back to Gaza. Health officials in Gaza face significant challenges in identifying these remains due to a lack of access to DNA testing kits. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, only 97 bodies have been positively identified so far. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed records that independent experts generally regard as reliable.

The identities of many remains released by Israel remain unclear, with some potentially belonging to individuals killed during the October 7 attack, Palestinian detainees who died in Israeli custody, or bodies taken from Gaza during military operations.

Profiles of Unreturned Hostages

Among the hostages whose remains have not yet been returned are Ran Gvili and Sudthisak Rinthalak. Gvili, a member of an elite police unit, was recovering from a motorcycle accident when he rushed to assist during the October 7 attacks. After helping individuals escape from the Nova music festival, he was killed while engaging in combat at another location. His death was confirmed by the military four months later. He is survived by his parents and a sister.

Rinthalak was an agricultural worker from Thailand, employed at Kibbutz Be’eri. He was among 31 Thai workers abducted on October 7, representing the largest group of foreign nationals taken during the conflict. Most of the Thai hostages were released during earlier ceasefires. The Thai Foreign Ministry reported that, in addition to the hostages, 46 Thai nationals have lost their lives during the ongoing conflict.

The situation underscores the tragic human impact of the hostilities, as families await the return of their loved ones. The complexities of the negotiations and the challenges faced in locating the remains reflect the larger issues at play in the region.

For ongoing coverage of the situation, follow AP’s dedicated reporting on the Israel-Hamas war.