Israel Says Four Hostage Bodies Still Missing in Gaza, Presses Hamas for Return
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### Worthy Christian News > Israel-Palestinian Conflict > Israel Says Four Hostage Bodies Still Missing in Gaza, Presses Hamas for Return
# Israel Says Four Hostage Bodies Still Missing in Gaza, Presses Hamas for Return
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by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel does not know the location of four of the remaining 13 bodies of hostages still held in Gaza, as pressure mounts on Hamas to resume returning the remains under the cease-fire and hostage-release agreement, according to Israeli sources familiar with the talks.
The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Jerusalem has conveyed to Washington “the utmost importance” of recovering the remaining bodies. Days have passed without Hamas handing over any additional deceased hostages, despite mediation by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
During U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the region last week, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir underscored the sensitivity of the issue, citing Israel’s decade-long effort to locate the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in 2014 whose body is among those yet to be recovered.
Hamas officials claim the group has not been able to locate all of the bodies and has not returned any since Tuesday, saying ongoing combat and debris in northern Gaza make recovery difficult.
On October 19, Hamas’ armed wing said it had located one hostage’s body that would be delivered “if conditions allowed.” Earlier, on October 15, Hamas handed over eight coffins of deceased hostages; Israeli officials said one was later determined not to belong to a hostage.
**MANY REMAINS**
A senior U.S. official told reporters that “many remains” are still buried beneath rubble and that heavy machinery is required for recovery operations. In Gaza, Palestinian authorities have been burying bodies rec