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Exchange of prisoners

Hamas Continues Search Operations for Israeli Prisoners' Bodies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Hamas has been intensively searching for the bodies of Israeli prisoners in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, as part of a prisoner exchange agreement with Israel. The operation, which began on Friday, involves bulldozers and engineering vehicles digging several meters underground to locate a tunnel where one of the bodies is believed to be hidden. The search operations have been ongoing for two consecutive days, with the International Committee of the Red Cross facilitating the handover of the bodies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hamas has handed over 11 bodies of Israeli prisoners, with one body being disputed by Israel as not belonging to an Israeli prisoner.
  • Israel is demanding the release of 18 remaining bodies held by Hamas, to complete the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
  • An international team, including crews from the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, is scheduled to begin work in the Gaza Strip to search for the remaining bodies.
  • Israel has provided mediators with possible locations for the bodies of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
  • The prisoner exchange deal, facilitated by President Trump's plan, involved the release of 1,968 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of 20 living Israeli captives.
  • The operation involves the excavation of several meters underground using bulldozers and engineering vehicles to locate a tunnel where one of the bodies is believed to be hidden.

Statistics:

  • 11 bodies of Israeli prisoners have been handed over by Hamas to Israel as part of the prisoner exchange agreement.
  • Israel is demanding the release of 18 remaining bodies held by Hamas.
  • 1,968 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel in exchange for the release of 20 living Israeli captives.
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross is facilitating the handover of the bodies between Hamas and Israel.
  • An international team, including crews from the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, is scheduled to begin work in the Gaza Strip.

Sources:

  • Maan News Agency (18 Oct 2025)
  • International Committee of the Red Cross

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