‘Israel’ may recover bodies of three captives in Gaza

In a controversial move that underscores the fragility of the ongoing ceasefire between 'Israel' and Hamas, Hebrew media reported Sunday that the 'Israeli' army received intelligence assessments indicating the possible recovery of the bodies of three captives killed during clashes in Gaza.

Hamas operation inside “yellow zone”

According to the reports, fighters from Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades located three bodies belonging to 'Israeli' captives in an underground tunnel east of Khan Younis, which is described as being inside the “yellow zone,” a buffer separating Palestinian and 'Israeli'-controlled territories under the latest truce deal.

Hebrew outlets cited security sources saying 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office approved a request allowing Hamas teams to enter the area to speed up the recovery operation. An 'Israeli' security official described the decision as “difficult but necessary,” noting that the military is closely monitoring the process alongside observers from the International Committee of the Red Cross to ensure transparency.

The “yellow zone” was designated under the current ceasefire agreement, brokered in October 2025 by US President Donald Trump, with mediation from Qatar and Egypt.

Read more: Hamas spokesperson: Israel blocks equipment needed to recover captive bodies in Gaza

Ongoing crisis over missing bodies

The recovery effort comes amid mounting pressure to locate the remaining 13 bodies of captives still believed to be in Gaza. Their return is reportedly a key condition for maintaining the ceasefire, which has already faced multiple violations.

The case of Asaf Hamami, the commander of the southern brigade in the 'Israeli' army’s Gaza Division, has drawn particular attention after a photo circulated showing what appeared to be his partially burned body recovered from a tunnel near Khan Younis. His family said in a statement: “Every day that passes without closure reopens our wounds. We want this nightmare to end.”

The image triggered renewed accusations between both sides: the 'Israeli' army accused Hamas of “manipulating the remains for propaganda,” while Hamas insisted it was “acting in good faith to end this tragedy.”

Tensions and political divisions

The incident adds new strain to an already fragile truce. In recent weeks, Hamas returned 15 bodies of 'Israeli' captives in exchange for 225 Palestinian bodies. However, revelations that some of the returned corpses did not belong to captives prompted airstrikes that killed over 100 Palestinians, further destabilizing the situation.

Netanyahu’s decision to permit Hamas entry into the “yellow zone” has also sparked political divisions within the 'Israeli' government. While some officials back the move on humanitarian grounds, others have denounced it as “a dangerous concession that empowers Hamas.”

War Minister Israel Katz defended the decision but warned: “Any attempt to exploit this process will be met with a decisive response. The bodies of our soldiers are not a political tool.”

Analysts say the Khan Younis “yellow zone” has now become a flashpoint in the ceasefire’s fragile framework, testing the limits of both military coordination and political tolerance.

International reactions

The United States welcomed the development, with President Trump posting on X that it marked “real progress toward peace, but all sides must keep their promises.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations urged both parties to accelerate efforts to recover all missing persons, warning that further delays or political maneuvering could jeopardize the entire ceasefire.