Hamas has said it will hand over another hostage’s body on Tuesday, as the Palestinian militant group faces growing accusations of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement after returning only the partial remains of a previously recovered captive to Israel.
Late on Monday, Hamas handed over what it claimed was the 16th of 28 hostage bodies agreed under the US-brokered truce, which began on 10 October. However, Israeli forensic experts determined the remains belonged to Ofir Tzarfati, whose body had already been recovered from Gaza nearly two years earlier, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Calling the move a “clear violation of the agreement,” Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister would convene a security meeting to decide on Israel’s response.
Later on Tuesday, Hamas’s armed wing announced it would transfer another hostage’s remains, recently discovered in Gaza tunnels, to the Red Cross by 1800 GMT.
Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian accused Hamas of staging the handover. “Hamas dug a hole, placed the partial remains inside, covered it with dirt, and presented it as a new recovery,” she said, warning that “nothing is off the table” in Israel’s response, which would be coordinated with US President Donald Trump.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged a decisive reaction, saying Hamas had acted “with contempt” and continued to deceive mediators and families.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem rejected Israel’s claims, insisting the group was committed to returning all remains once located. He blamed Israel’s bombardment for destroying many sites where bodies might be buried.
Hamas has already returned all 20 living hostages as stipulated in the truce deal but accused Israel of its own ceasefire violations. Gaza’s health ministry said at least 94 people had been killed by Israeli fire since the truce began.
Residents in Gaza fear renewed conflict. “They accuse Hamas of delaying as an excuse for another war,” said Abdul-Hayy al-Hajj Ahmed, 60. “We want peace, but I believe the fighting will return.”
Israel’s far-right ministers have demanded stronger action. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said, “It is time to break Hamas’s legs once and for all,” while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the re-arrest of Palestinians freed under the truce.
During the October 7, 2023 attacks, Hamas abducted 251 hostages, most of whom have since been released, rescued, or recovered. The assault killed 1,221 people in Israel, mostly civilians, while Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has left over 68,500 dead, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the UN regards as credible.
The Tzarfati family expressed deep anguish over the repeated recoveries. “This is the third time we’ve had to open Ofir’s grave and rebury our son,” they said. “The circle supposedly closed in December 2023 — but it never truly closes.”