Divided Remains: The Last Four Deceased Hostages Are Being Held Between Rival Terrorists

A Palestinian Arab source involved in sensitive negotiations for the return of hostages and fallen soldiers claims that the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is holding at least two of the four bodies of deceased hostages still in Gaza. This report suggests that the custody of the remains is split between the terrorist organizations, complicating efforts to retrieve them.

The source indicated that while Islamic Jihad has refused to hand over the bodies thus far, the group is believed to be "nearing a breaking point" on the matter.

In the wake of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin's recent return, mediators have intensified pressure on Hamas to account for and release the remaining four bodies to enable the subsequent phase of the agreement, which is expected to include the commencement of Gaza’s reconstruction efforts. Turkey is reportedly leading the pressure campaign on Hamas, an initiative that is primarily being driven by the United States.

Hamas has consistently claimed to be experiencing difficulty locating the four remaining deceased hostages in the Gaza Strip.

The Four Who Await Return

The four individuals whose bodies remain held in Gaza represent diverse stories of the October 7 massacre and the lingering national pain:

The families of the remaining hostages continue to be active in advocacy groups, their stories serving as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the war and the enduring quest for closure for a nation still waiting for its loved ones to be brought home.