Hamas returns remains of two more hostages and says ‘significant efforts’ needed to retrieve others

Hamas and the Red Cross have previously said recovering slain hostages is a challenge because of the widespread destruction in Gaza — a fact that was acknowledged during ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange talks.

On Sunday, an Israeli military official said if all of the hostage bodies were not handed over by Monday’s deadline, a designated special force for recovering the bodies would be established and would take action in order to retrieve them.

The news came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hamas must disarm or face renewed military action amid reports of violence on the streets of Gaza, while confusion persists over whether the amount of aid agreed by Israel is reaching the enclave.

“First, Hamas has to give up its arms,” Netanyahu told CBS News on Tuesday. “And second, you want to make sure that there are no weapons factories inside Gaza. There’s no smuggling of weapons into Gaza. That’s demilitarization.”

Trump, whose plan called for Hamas to disarm, echoed Netanyahu’s position.

“They’re going to disarm, because they said they are going to disarm, and if they don’t disarm, we will disarm them,” Trump told reporters. “And it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently.”

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, told senior IDF commanders on Wednesday to prepare a military plan to defeat Hamas if the militant group refuses to implement Trump’s peace plan, according to Katz’s spokesperson.

Inside Gaza, Hamas appeared to tighten its control, as the group’s internal security organization has urged residents to report “wanted individuals,” including “collaborators” with Israel.

Video obtained by Reuters appeared to show masked gunmen executing several men in a Gaza City street.

At least six, their shirts pulled over their heads, were forced to their knees before being shot. Another video obtained by Reuters appeared to show armed Hamas members patrolling streets.

U.S. Central Command urged Hamas on Wednesday to “suspend violence” and adhere to Trump’s 20-point peace plan by “disarming without delay.”

“This is an historic opportunity for peace,” CENTCOM’s commander, Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement. “Hamas should seize it by fully standing down.”

Also on Wednesday, Gaza’s Ministry of Health said that 45 deceased Palestinians being held by Israel have been returned to Gaza, bringing the total number of bodies received to 90.

ICRC said it was facilitating the return of human remains as a neutral intermediary.

“Local health and forensic authorities are responsible for identifying the remains of the deceased, and the ICRC offers technical guidance when necessary,” it said in a statement.

Hamas’ slow release of the remains of hostages has sparked fears that Israel could restrict humanitarian aid until the remains of the hostages are returned.

Close to 70,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian health officials, since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led terrorist attacks that killed 1,200 and resulted in some 250 people taken hostage.

Most of the buildings in the enclave have been damaged or destroyed, and a vast majority of the population lives without adequate access to food, adequate shelter and medical care. In August, famine was declared in parts of the enclave.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health has announced over 700 deaths since the announcement of a ceasefire last week as “a result of Israeli aggression.”

The United Nations said Tuesday it had received a letter from COGAT, the Israeli military’s liaison with the Palestinians, informing them they would half the amount of aid due to the slow release of the remains of hostages.

Uncertainty surrounds the scale of aid entering Gaza.

At least 600 trucks operated by the U.N., international organizations, the private sector and donor countries were meant to enter Gaza daily under the ceasefire agreement, an Israeli security official told NBC News on Saturday.

But confusion has persisted over the actual flow of supplies and the accuracy of reported figures.

The U.N.’s humanitarian agency, OCHA, said 817 trucks entered Gaza on Sunday, citing data provided by COGAT.

The U.N. did not independently verify the figures, and COGAT did not respond to a request for more information on the aid.