Netanyahu Vows to Retrieve Hostage Bodies as Tensions with Hamas Rise
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to bring home the remaining hostages’ bodies still held in Gaza, declaring that Israel will continue its war against terrorism “with full force.” His statement came during a memorial ceremony for victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, marking one of Israel’s darkest days in decades.
The remarks followed Hamas’s handover of two more bodies to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday night. However, the militant group said it could not access the remaining 19 bodies due to destruction and security challenges in Gaza. The partial return has fueled outrage in Israel, with families demanding that all remains be returned as agreed in last week’s ceasefire deal.
While Israeli officials accuse Hamas of violating the truce, the United States has downplayed those claims, saying it does not view the situation as a breach of the agreement.
Hamas Hands Over Two More Hostages’ Bodies
According to Israeli authorities, the two bodies returned by Hamas have been identified as Inbar Hayman and Sgt Maj Muhammad al-Atarash, a Bedouin soldier who was killed during the October 7 attacks. Their remains were recovered in Gaza City by masked Hamas gunmen and transferred under the supervision of the Red Cross.
Their return brings the total number of dead hostages recovered since Monday to nine out of 28, alongside 20 living hostages who were released earlier this week. Those hostages were freed in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.
Hamas’s military wing announced that it is still searching for the remaining bodies but said the effort is complicated by widespread devastation across Gaza. The group claims that accessing several areas safely would require heavy machinery and specialized equipment.
Israel Threatens to Restrict Aid to Gaza
In response to the delay, Israel has threatened to impose further restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Israeli officials said Hamas must fulfill its commitment to return all hostages’ remains before additional aid is permitted.
On Thursday, Netanyahu addressed an emotional crowd at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl National Cemetery, reaffirming his commitment to the victims’ families. “Our fight against terrorism will continue with full force,” he said. “We will not allow evil to raise its head. We will exact the full price from anyone who harms us.”
The prime minister also warned that Israel would resume military action if attacked again, saying that “no ceasefire will stand if our citizens remain at risk.”
Background: The October 7 Attack and Its Aftermath
The memorial ceremony came just days after the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel. That day, gunmen stormed Israeli communities near the Gaza border, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, resulting in massive destruction and heavy civilian casualties. According to Gaza’s health ministry — figures regarded as credible by the United Nations — over 67,900 people have been killed since the start of the conflict.
Trump Weighs In on Renewed Fighting
Adding to the tense atmosphere, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation via his Truth Social platform. He wrote that the United States “will have no choice but to go in and kill” if Hamas “continues to kill people,” though he reiterated that American troops will not be deployed to Gaza.
Trump’s administration has maintained strong support for Israel while also encouraging restraint to prevent the conflict from spiraling. However, his remarks hint at a potential willingness to back renewed Israeli military operations if the ceasefire collapses.
Mixed Reactions to Ceasefire Progress
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel has urged Netanyahu to suspend the ceasefire deal until all 19 remaining bodies are returned. “The agreement must be enforced in full,” the group said, accusing Hamas of acting in bad faith.
However, senior advisers to President Trump told reporters that Washington does not believe Hamas has broken the ceasefire. They said the group had cooperated by providing information and cited the devastation in Gaza as a reason for the delay.
A leaked version of the Israel-Hamas deal, published in Israeli media, appears to support that interpretation — acknowledging that not all bodies might be immediately recoverable. U.S. officials suggested offering financial rewards to civilians who share information about the hostages’ remains.
Renewed Clashes Despite Ceasefire
Despite the ceasefire, Hamas reported that over 20 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since the agreement took effect last Friday. The Israeli military defended its actions, saying troops only opened fire when threatened by armed militants or suspected explosives.
Meanwhile, work continues in Gaza to identify the Palestinian bodies returned by Israel in exchange for the hostages. On Thursday, 30 additional bodies were handed over, bringing the total number to 120 since the deal began.
The Rafah Crossing Remains Closed
Speculation grew that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt might reopen for the first time since Israeli forces seized the Gaza side in May 2024. The ceasefire agreement includes provisions for its eventual reopening under conditions similar to a previous truce earlier this year.
However, Israeli officials have since clarified that no date has been set. An official from Cogat, Israel’s military liaison office for Palestinian affairs, said that reopening “will be announced at a later stage” after coordination with Egyptian authorities.
The official also noted that humanitarian aid will not pass through Rafah for now. Instead, aid shipments will continue via Kerem Shalom and other crossings subject to Israeli security checks.
A Nation Still in Mourning
As Israel continues to mourn those lost in the October 7 attacks, the recovery of the remaining hostages’ bodies has become both a moral and political mission for Netanyahu’s government. The prime minister faces growing pressure from grieving families and political opponents alike, demanding accountability and results.
For many Israelis, the fate of those still unreturned has become a test of leadership — and of the nation’s resolve to uphold its promise: to bring everyone home, no matter the cost.