Israel says it has obtained the stays of three hostages from Gaza

[ad_1] JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Sunday introduced that the stays of three hostages had been handed over from Gaza and can be examined by forensic consultants, as a fragile month-old ceasefire held.

A Hamas assertion earlier stated the stays had been discovered Sunday in a tunnel in southern Gaza.

For the reason that ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10 , Palestinian militants had launched the stays of 17 hostages, with 11 remaining in Gaza, earlier than Sunday’s handover.

Israel’s army stated official identification of those stays can be supplied to households first.

U.S. President Donald Trump afterward Sunday indicated that the stays of Omer Neutra, an American-Israeli citizen, had been among the many hostages returned by Hamas. The president stated he has spoken with the household of Neutra, who served as a tank platoon commander within the Israel Protection Forces.

Israeli officers have stated they believed Neutra, a Lengthy Island, New York native, was killed within the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that sparked the battle.

“They had been thrilled, in a single sense, however in one other sense, clearly, it’s not too nice,” Trump stated of Neutra’s dad and mom.

Militants have launched one or two our bodies each few days. Israel has urged sooner progress, and in sure instances it has stated the stays aren’t of any hostage . Hamas has stated the work is sophisticated by widespread devastation.

Purple Cross automobiles carrying the our bodies of three folks believed to be deceased hostages handed over by Hamas make their manner towards the border crossing with Israel, to be transferred to Israeli authorities, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photograph/Jehad Alshrafi)

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Feelings across the stays have been excessive amongst households, who proceed to rally weekly. On Saturday night time, Moran Harari, a good friend of the late Carmel Gat, urged Israel to have restraint.

“This cursed battle has taken so many lives of pricey folks on either side of the fence. This time, we should not fall into it once more,” Harari stated throughout a rally in Jerusalem.

Israel in flip has been releasing the stays of 15 Palestinians for the return of the stays of an Israeli hostage.

Well being officers in Gaza have struggled to determine our bodies with out entry to DNA kits. Solely 75 of the 225 Palestinian our bodies returned because the ceasefire started have been recognized, in accordance with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which has posted pictures of stays within the hope that households will acknowledge them.

The alternate has been the central a part of the preliminary section of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The 20-point plan contains the formation of a global stabilization drive of Arab and different companions that may work with Egypt and Jordan on securing Gaza’s borders and make sure the ceasefire is revered.

A number of nations have proven curiosity in collaborating in a peacekeeping drive however referred to as for a transparent U.N. Safety Council mandate earlier than committing troops.

Different troublesome questions embody Hamas’ disarmament and the governance of a postwar Gaza, in addition to when and the way humanitarian assist shall be elevated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated earlier Sunday that “there are nonetheless pockets of Hamas” in components of Gaza managed by Israeli forces.

“There are literally two in Rafah and Khan Younis, and they are going to be eradicated,” Netanyahu stated throughout a Cupboard assembly.

Palestinians stroll amongst destroyed buildings in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photograph/Jehad Alshrafi)

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The deadliest and most harmful battle ever fought between Israel and Hamas started with the Hamas-led 2023 assault that killed about 1,200 folks and took 251 others hostage.

Israel’s military offensive has killed greater than 68,800 Palestinians in Gaza, in accordance with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry, a part of the Hamas-run authorities and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed information seen as typically dependable by impartial consultants.

Israel, which has denied accusations by a U.N. commission of inquiry and others of committing genocide in Gaza, has disputed the ministry’s figures with out offering a contradicting toll.

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Related Press author Aamer Madhani in West Palm Seashore, Florida, contributed to this report.

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Discover extra of AP’s Israel-Hamas protection at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

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