Egypt and Red Cross Aid Gaza Hostage Body Search

Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have joined the search for the bodies of hostages taken during the 7 October attacks in Gaza, with Israeli authorities confirming their permission to search beyond the 'yellow line' in the IDF-controlled area. Hamas has transferred 15 out of 28 deceased Israeli hostages under a US-brokered ceasefire deal and is coordinating with Egyptian authorities to continue the search. The search is complicated by the extensive destruction in Gaza, with 84% of the territory reduced to rubble, making it difficult for Hamas to locate the bodies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will determine which foreign forces will be allowed as part of a planned international force in Gaza to help secure the ceasefire.

Hamas has expanded its search for the remaining bodies of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, with the help of Egypt and international mediators. The search comes after Hamas returned 18 bodies of hostages, but failed to release any in the past five days. Israel has sent back the bodies of 195 Palestinians. The fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is at risk due to recent Israeli strikes on Gaza, which Hamas called a 'clear violation' of the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military's actions, while President Trump warned Hamas to return more bodies within 48 hours.

The Israeli government has allowed international teams, including the Red Cross and Egyptian experts, to enter Gaza to search for the bodies of hostages held by Hamas. The search is part of efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire brokered by the US. Hamas has expanded its search for the bodies, but an Israeli government spokesperson said that Hamas knows where the deceased hostages are located and should make more effort to retrieve them. The ceasefire relies on Hamas returning the remains of Israeli hostages, but no bodies have been released in the past five days. US President Donald Trump has warned that he is watching closely to ensure Hamas returns more bodies.