Israel confirmed that Hamas handed over two coffins of deceased hostages from Gaza late Saturday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu increased pressure on the militant group to release the remaining remains quickly as part of the ceasefire agreement. The bodies were taken to Israel&rsquo;s National Institute of Forensic Medicine, though no names were immediately released.
Earlier, Israel announced that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed until further notice, linking its reopening to the handover of hostages&rsquo; remains. The Palestinian embassy in Egypt had previously said Rafah would reopen on Monday, but Netanyahu&rsquo;s statement nullified the plan.
Hamas has now handed over the remains of 12 of the 28 deceased hostages, a key step in the week-old ceasefire designed to end the two-year war. The militant group cited Israeli control of parts of Gaza and extensive destruction as reasons for delays.
Israel returned 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza on Saturday, bringing the total returned to 135. Gaza&rsquo;s Health Ministry reports that casualties have risen above 68,000, with thousands still missing, though it does not differentiate civilians from combatants.
The remains of Eliyahu Margalit, a 76-year-old abducted from kibbutz Nir Oz, were identified as the 10th returned. His body was found after bulldozers cleared rubble in Khan Younis.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned he may allow Israel to resume fighting if Hamas fails to return all deceased hostages. The U.S. State Department reported credible intelligence of a planned Hamas attack on Gaza civilians, calling it a &ldquo;grave violation&rdquo; of the ceasefire.
Aid into Gaza remains limited, with the UN reporting 339 trucks offloaded since the ceasefire began, far below the 600 trucks per day agreed. Hamas has called for increased aid flow, while Israel claims sufficient aid is entering, accusing Hamas of diversion, which aid agencies deny.
Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, citing 38 deaths since the truce began. Israel maintains control over roughly half of Gaza. On Friday, a vehicle in eastern Gaza was hit by Israeli fire, killing nine, including women and children. Israel said the vehicle posed an imminent threat, while Hamas called it an attack on civilians.

Israel receives two coffins from Hamas as Rafah border closure worsens Gaza crisis

Hamas Hands Over Hostage Remains in Gaza

Israel receives two coffins from Hamas as Rafah border closure worsens Gaza crisis

October 19, 2025 | 16:29 IST