Hamas- Israel Peace Deal Hits Roadblock Over Hostage Remains

Strategic Insights -

The U.S.-brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas is facing a major crisis as the dispute over the remains of 28 deceased hostages, including two Americans, has become the first point of contention. Hamas has vowed to return all 28 remains under the deal, but the group claims some are trapped under rubble and could take months to find. The Israeli government has threatened to delay the implementation of key aspects of the deal, including the reopening of the Rafah crossing and aid to Gaza, if more bodies are not returned.

Key Takeaways:

  • The remains of four additional deceased hostages were returned by Hamas on Tuesday, but the dispute over the remaining 24 bodies continues to escalate.
  • Israel accused Hamas of violating the U.S.-brokered peace deal and threatened to cut aid to Gaza, while Hamas claims it is not aware of the exact locations of all the deceased hostages.
  • Senior Israeli officials say Hamas had not realized the importance of returning the bodies until Tuesday and now understands that Israel knows more than it presumed about the number and locations of bodies Hamas is holding.
  • The next phase of the deal will focus on the disarming of Hamas and the establishment of a new governing mechanism for Gaza that excludes the group.
  • Hamas has expressed willingness to disarm and give up its heavy weapons, but insisted on keeping its guns for self-defense.
  • State of play: Hamas' security forces have reestablished control over parts of Gaza, but the group has also conducted summary executions in the streets, sparking condemnation from the Palestinian Authority.

Statistics:

  • 28: The number of deceased hostages whose remains are still in the hands of Hamas.
  • 4: The number of additional bodies returned by Hamas on Tuesday.
  • 2: The number of American citizens among the deceased hostages, including Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.
  • 10: Thousands of aid trucks that may be delayed entering Gaza due to the Israeli decision to halve the number of aid trucks if more bodies are not returned.

Sources:

  • Axios, "Israel-Gaza peace deal hangs in the balance as Hamas struggles to find bodies," 13 October 2025.
  • Axios, "Israeli-American soldier confirmed dead in Hamas rocket attack," 12 March 2024.
  • Axios, "Trump: 'ALL TWENTY HOSTAGES ARE BACK' in Gaza deal," 12 December 2024.
  • Axios, "Gaza deal: Kushner, Witkoff meet with Hamas leaders," 13 October 2025.