Teams begin search for hostages’ bodies in Gaza

Israeli officials have approved Egyptian and International Committee of the Red Cross teams to search for deceased hostages beyond the military-controlled zone in Gaza. Hamas transferred 15 of the 28 bodies required under a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States and must return all remains from the attacks that occurred on Oct. 7.

President Donald Trump warned that participating nations would respond if Hamas failed to act swiftly. The search teams received permission to operate past the yellow line, a boundary Israel established when withdrawing forces as part of the ceasefire’s initial phase.

Egypt joined Qatar and Turkey as signatories to the peace agreement signed at Sharm el-Sheikh this month. Hamas stated it faces challenges locating bodies beneath debris from Israeli bombardment that destroyed 84 percent of Gaza’s structures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would approve which international forces could participate in Gaza security operations. More than 68,500 people have died in Israeli military operations since the attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages.