Israel Receives Remains of Four More Hostages Under Trump-Brokered Ceasefire
The Israeli military has confirmed the return of four more hostage remains from Hamas, bringing closure to additional families while 20 Palestinian bodies were simultaneously returned to Gaza under the US-mediated ceasefire agreement.
Key Developments
- Four deceased hostages returned to Israel on Tuesday following forensic examination
- Identities of Monday’s four returnees confirmed as three Israelis and one Nepalese student
- 45 Palestinian bodies handed over to Gaza hospital as part of exchange deal
- Trump announces “Phase two” of ceasefire implementation
The remains were transferred via the Red Cross in the latest implementation of the ceasefire aimed at ending two years of conflict in Gaza. “Four coffins of deceased hostages… crossed the border into the state of Israel a short while ago,” the military stated, confirming the bodies were undergoing forensic testing.
Monday’s Hostage Returns Identified
The four hostages whose remains were returned on Monday include Israeli citizens Guy Iluz (26), Yossi Sharabi (53), and Daniel Peretz (22), along with Nepalese agriculture student Bipin Joshi (22).
Sharabi was taken from Kibbutz Beeri during the October 7, 2023 attack, while Peretz was killed during the assault. His body was subsequently taken to Gaza.
“Now we can finally bring closure to the nightmare that began over two years ago, and give Yossi the dignified and loving burial he deserves,” Sharabi’s wife Nira said through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Iluz had been attending the Nova music festival when militants attacked. The military confirmed he was wounded and abducted alive but later died from injuries due to inadequate medical care in captivity.
The Story of Bipin Joshi
Joshi, part of a Nepalese agricultural training group that arrived in Israel just three weeks before the Hamas assault, was abducted from Kibbutz Alumim. The military assessed “he was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war.”
His friend Himanchal Kattel, the group’s sole survivor, described Joshi’s heroic actions: when attackers threw a grenade into their shelter, Joshi caught and threw it away, saving Kattel’s life before the explosion.
“We were deeply hoping that Bipin would return home. This news hurts us all… Our hope has died,” said his teacher Sushil Neupane, who remembered Joshi as “courageous.”
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
Families of remaining hostages continue to wait anxiously. “It’s difficult. You know, we kind of had the rollercoaster on the up yesterday and now we’re on the down,” said Rotem Kuper, whose father Amiran’s remains are still held in Gaza.
At Beilinson Hospital, where freed hostages received medical care, director Noa Eliakim Raz noted they had experienced significant weight loss. “Being underground affects all the body’s systems,” she explained, adding that recovery timelines vary individually.
Twins Ziv and Gali Berman, reunited on Monday after being held separately in complete isolation, described enduring long hunger periods alternating with brief intervals of better nourishment.
Ceasefire Implementation Continues
The Nasser Medical Centre in Gaza confirmed receiving 45 Palestinian bodies from Israeli custody. Under the Trump-brokered agreement, Israel returns 15 Palestinian bodies for each deceased Israeli hostage.
“A big burden has been lifted, but the job is NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED! Phase two begins right NOW!!!” Trump declared on X.
With Palestinian militants still holding approximately 20 hostage bodies expected for return under the ceasefire terms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed: “We are determined to bring everyone back.”
