Hamas knows location of at least 8 bodies of captives: Hebrew media

The ‘Israeli’ military estimates suggest that Hamas knows the whereabouts of at least eight bodies of ‘Israeli’ captives in the Gaza Strip and has the ability to return them immediately, according to reports in Hebrew media today, Saturday.

Read more: Hamas-affiliated excavators reportedly search for captives’ bodies under ICRC supervision

The ongoing phase of the truce focuses on the retrieval of bodies from both sides, following the first phase which involved the exchange of living captives for Palestinian detainees.

Hebrew media sources reported that security estimates indicate Hamas knows the location of at least eight bodies and could hand them over immediately.

The ‘Israel’ Broadcasting Authority quoted sources saying Hamas "knows the precise location of about 10 of the bodies," though retrieving some would require complex "engineering operations" due to the destruction and rubble.

The reports come as the families of the captives are demanding that the ‘Israeli’ government take a stronger stance and halt the implementation of the ceasefire agreement until all remains are returned.

Hamas said it will hand over the bodies of two ‘Israeli’ captives at 10 PM Gaza time on Saturday night, the group’s military wing said in a statement.

The remains were recovered today in the Gaza Strip, Al-Qassam Brigades said in the statement.

Earlier today, the office of ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Rafah crossing would reopen only after Hamas hands over the bodies of all deceased captives still held in Gaza.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed that the Rafah crossing remain closed until further notice," the statement by office said. 

"Its reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfills its obligations to return the hostages and the bodies of the deceased, and to implement the agreed-upon terms" of the ceasefire, the office added.