Hamas Returns Bodies, But They aren't Hostage Bodies

Yesterday (Friday), after the Red Cross delivered three body remains to Israel, today (Saturday) it was confirmed by the Forensic Medicine Institute that the remains do not belong to Israeli hostages.

It should be noted that Hamas still holds eleven Israeli hostages. According to News 12, the remains likely belong to Gazan residents, not Israeli hostages.

The Red Cross stated: “The International Committee of the Red Cross assisted yesterday, at the request and with the approval of the parties, in returning the remains of three bodies to the Israeli authorities. The process of identifying the bodies is the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities and will be carried out by them.”

Last Thursday, after 755 days in Hamas captivity, the terrorist organization returned the bodies of the fallen hostages Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch, may their memory be a blessing. Currently, Gaza still holds nine Israeli hostages and two foreign nationals.

The Prime Minister’s Office stated: “Following the completion of the identification process by the National Forensic Center, in coordination with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives informed the families of the fallen hostages Amiram Kuper and Sahar Baruch that their loved ones have been returned to Israel and identified.”

The government of Israel shares in the profound grief of the Kuper and Baruch families, and all families of fallen hostages. The government and the entire Shun system of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and tirelessly working to return all fallen hostages for a proper burial in their homeland.

Hamas is required to meet its commitments to mediators and return the hostages under the agreement. Israel will not compromise and will spare no effort until all hostages are returned.

Kibbutz Nir Oz closes a painful chapter, as Amiram Cooper is the last of 76 kibbutz members kidnapped during the Simchat Torah massacre.

From Kibbutz Nir Oz Statement:

“Kibbutz Nir Oz announces the return for burial of our dear Amiram Cooper, may his memory be a blessing, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, who was kidnapped on October 7 and killed in Hamas captivity.

Amiram, aged 85, economist, farmer, and poet, devoted family man, married to Nurit, father to Rotem, Revit, Lotan, and Yeshrolik, and grandfather to 11 grandchildren.

Amiram was a member of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement and aspired to be a farmer and kibbutznik. Together with his Nahal group peers, he was among the pioneers who founded Kibbutz Nir Oz, dedicating his life to settling the western Negev.

As an economist, over 65 years at the kibbutz, he served as farm manager and later as chief economist of Meon Regional settlements for 24 years until retirement.

A talented poet and composer, he wrote plays, articles, and poetry expressing his love for nature, agriculture, and kibbutz life, which continues to inspire every generation. We will always remember Amiram as a man of people and words, a pioneer and principled individual, full of initiative and ideas, deeply loved by all.”