In a grim continuation of the hostage crisis, Hamas has handed over the remains of an Israeli hostage from Gaza to the Red Cross, a transfer confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Reuters, the body was transported to Israel via the Red Cross and immediately handed over to forensic experts. After approximately three hours, the remains were identified as Mani Goddard. Goddard, who lived near the Gaza border, was killed during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and his body was subsequently taken into Gaza.
The Prime Minister’s office issued a statement emphasizing that Israel’s relevant agencies are “committed and continually working” to bring the remains of all their hostages back to their homeland. Israel maintains that the remains of three more hostages are currently still held within Gaza.
The repatriation effort follows the ceasefire agreement last October, under which Hamas released all 20 live hostages held in Gaza in exchange for the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. This somber recovery serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing humanitarian mission to bring closure to all affected families.
