The International Committee of the Red Cross has said that it may take a considerable amount of time to hand over remains of hostages who died in Hamas detention given the difficulties of finding bodies in Gaza's rubble.
This comes as anger grows in Israeli qaurters over Hamas' handing over of only four coffins of deceased hostages to the IDF with over twenty yet to handed over under the ceasefire deal.
"The search for human remains is obviously an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released. That's a massive challenge," ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon said at a Geneva press briefing, adding it could take days or weeks.
"I think there is clearly a risk that that will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that that should be their top priority," he said on Tuesday.
The IDF also on Tuesday called on Hamas to "fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the hostages to their families and to proper burial."
The BBC reports that unease is growing among residents of the Gaza strip that the delay in returning of deceased hostages by Hamas could cause the ceasefire to crumble.
Many residents told the BBC "they are worried the violence could risk the truce and derail the start of the second phase of negotiations".
The Geneva-based ICRC said it is providing an additional 23 staff, body bags and refrigerated vehicles to ensure the deceased are handled with respect and dignity within Gaza, which was reduced to widespread ruins by the war.
"All parties must ensure that the return of human remains is done under dignified conditions, and uphold dignity and humanity," the ICRC added in a statement.
Deceased hostages identity revealed
The Israeli military forces have revealed the identities of two deceased hostages whose coffins were part of the four received and brought into Israel on Monday 13th October as part of a ceasefire agreement.
In a statement released on its X account, the IDF said that its representatives have informed the families of Guy Iluz, Bipin Joshi, and two additional deceased hostages, whose names have not yet been cleared for publication by their families, that their loved ones have been brought back for burial.
It said that Guy was abducted alive and injured by Hamas after escaping the Nova music festival. Guy died from his wounds after not receiving proper medical treatment while held captive. He was 26 years old at his death.
"Bipin was abducted at the age of 23 from a shelter in Kibbutz Alumim by Hamas. It is assessed that he was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war" the statement said.
Final conclusions will be determined after the completion of the examination of the circumstances of death by the National Center of Forensic Medicine.
"The IDF expresses deep condolences to the families, and continues to make every effort to return all the hostages, as Hamas is required to fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all the hostages to their families and to proper burial."
Hamas released the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday under a ceasefire deal, a major step towards ending two years of shattering war in Gaza.
The Israeli military said it had received all hostages confirmed to be alive after their transfer from Gaza by the Red Cross, prompting cheering, hugging and weeping among thousands waiting at "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv.
Buses carrying released Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons as part of the accord also arrived in Gaza, an official involved in the operation told Reuters.
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Azerbaijan’s city of Shusha and the Turkish city of Trabzon have signed a sister-city agreement during the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, expanding regional cooperation between the two countries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained committed to reaching a diplomatic settlement with the U.S. while continuing to strengthen its defensive capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions.
Estonia said on Tuesday (19 May) that a NATO fighter jet shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone over its territory, in the latest reported airspace violation in the region amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes against Russia.
Sweden has agreed to buy four naval frigates from France’s Naval Group in a deal worth more than $4 billion, as Stockholm moves to strengthen its defence capabilities in the Baltic Sea, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Tuesday.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the situation poses a significant risk of cross-border spread in Central Africa.
Estonia said on Tuesday (19 May) that a NATO fighter jet shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone over its territory, in the latest reported airspace violation in the region amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes against Russia.
Sweden has agreed to buy four naval frigates from France’s Naval Group in a deal worth more than $4 billion, as Stockholm moves to strengthen its defence capabilities in the Baltic Sea, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Tuesday.
Spanish police said on Tuesday they had detained a 25-year-old man suspected of killing his two parents and injuring four other people, including his son, in a shooting in the southern city of El Ejido in Almeria province overnight.
European Union negotiators are expected to agree on Tuesday (19 May) on legislation removing import duties on U.S. industrial goods, in a move aimed at implementing last year’s trade agreement with the United States and avoiding higher tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (May 18) he was "concerned" about Ebola but noted that the virus remains confined to Africa for now.
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