Israel-Hamas War: Hostages' Remains Held by Militants Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

Strategic Insights -

As the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears its two-year milestone, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 15 hostages held in Gaza. However, the process of returning the bodies of the last 13 remaining hostages has been slow, with militants releasing one or two bodies every few days. Hamas blames the rubble left behind by the war in the Gaza Strip for hindering the search, while Israel accuses the militants of dragging their feet, threatening to resume military operations or withhold humanitarian aid if all remains are not returned. In exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Israel has so far returned the bodies of 165 Palestinians to Gaza.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sahar Baruch, a 22-year-old Israeli man, was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, along with his brother Idan, who was killed in the attack. Sahar was previously a mechanic in the military and was set to begin an electrical engineering degree.
  • Itay Chen, an Israeli-American, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, along with his tank battalion members Daniel Peretz and Matan Angrest. Chen's body was taken to Gaza.
  • Amiram Cooper, a 63-year-old economist and author, was abducted alive on Oct. 7, 2023, and later confirmed killed by Israel in June 2024.
  • Meny Godard, a 55-year-old professional soccer player, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, along with his wife Ayelet, who was able to tell their children about Meny's death before she passed away.
  • Hadar Goldin's remains are the only ones held in Gaza since before the war, which began in August 2014.
  • Ran Gvili, a 39-year-old member of a police unit, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, after helping people escape and fighting at another location.
  • Col. Assaf Hamami, a 45-year-old military commander, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, along with two soldiers, whose remains were retrieved in July 2024.
  • Joshua Mollel, a 24-year-old Tanzanian student, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, after being filmed being stabbed and shot in a Hamas video.
  • Israeli-American Omer Neutra, 20, was confirmed killed in December 2024 after being abducted on Oct. 7, 2023.
  • Dror Or, a 53-year-old dairy farm manager, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, along with his wife Yonat, who was also killed.
  • Sudthisak Rinthalak, a 46-year-old Thai agricultural worker, is the last of three Thai hostages whose bodies were held in Gaza.
  • Lior Rudaeff, a 67-year-old ambulance driver, was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, while battling militants.

Statistics:

  • 15 hostages' remains have been released by Palestinian militants.
  • 13 remaining hostages' bodies are still being held in Gaza.
  • 165 Palestinians' bodies have been returned to Gaza in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
  • 31 Thai workers were kidnapped on Oct. 7, with most released in the first and second ceasefires.
  • 46 Thais have been killed during the war.

Sources:

  • AP (2025)
  • Hamas
  • Israeli military
  • Human Rights Watch report
  • The Hostages Families Forum
  • Kibbutz Be'eris