Bodies of four hostages returned to Israel – and why finding others will be ‘massive challenge’

The families of 24 dead hostages are still waiting to have their bodies returned from Gaza.

Only four bodies were transferred by Hamas to Israel on Monday. It remains to be seen when the remains of the remaining hostages will be handed over.

Here’s what we know about the four hostages whose bodies have been returned, while the families of others who have been declared dead await word from Israeli authorities on the fate of their loved ones.

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Who are the four hostages whose bodies have been found?

The bodies of Yossi Sharabi, Guy Illouz, Daniel Peretz and Bipin Joshi have been returned to Israel.

The Israeli military has officially identified the bodies of Mr Illouz and Mr Joshi.

The two men were both in their 20s when Hamas took then during the October 7 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war.

Mr Illouz, who is from Israel, was taken from the Nova music festival, while Mr Joshi, a student from Nepal, was taken from a bomb shelter.

Israel said Mr Illouz died from his wounds while being held captive without proper medical treatment, while Mr Joshi was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war.

What about the remaining hostages’ bodies?

Hamas has said recovering the remaining bodies could take time, as not all burial sites are known. Israeli authorities have said some of those remains may not be located.

The Red Cross said it will take time to hand over the remains of hostages and detainees killed in the war, calling it a “massive challenge” considering the difficulties of finding bodies amid Gaza’s rubble.

“That’s an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released. That’s a massive challenge,” said Christian Cardon, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He said it could take days or weeks – and there was a possibility some may never be found.

An international task force will work to locate the bodies of the deceased hostages who are not returned within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing.

What has been the response of hostages’ families?

The Israeli Hostages Families Forum has called for the suspension of the ceasefire agreement, saying “Hamas’s violation of the agreement must be met with a very serious response”.

“We demand all 28 hostages back. We will not give up on anyone, until the last hostage is returned,” it added.

Under US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement, all the hostages – including the deceased – should be returned as part of the first phase of the ceasefire.

Read more:
Inside rooms where hostages will spend first nights of freedom
Songs of celebration in Tel Aviv as crowds greet hostages

Release of living hostages brings pause to two years of war

On Monday, Hamas released all 20 living hostages, bringing a pause to two years of war that has levelled much of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Tens of thousands of Israelis watched the hostage transfer at public screenings across the country. Tap on their pictures to read more about the hostages:

The hostages were exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners – including 250 serving life sentences for convictions for attacks on Israelis, as well as 1,700 Gazans detained during the war.

Issues remain with ceasefire plan

The exchange of hostages and prisoners has raised hopes it marks the end of the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas.

A second phase of the plan, which all sides have yet to agree on, could see Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza.

However, issues remain, such as whether Hamas will disarm, and who will govern Gaza.

Trump calls for new era of peace in Middle East

Mr Trump travelled to the region to celebrate the deal.

He received a rapturous welcome and multiple standing ovations as he addressed Israel’s parliament, though at one point he was heckled by two left-wing politicians who were ejected from the chamber after they interrupted his speech.

“This is a historic dawn of a new Middle East,” Mr Trump told the Knesset.

“Generations from now this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change, and change very much for the better.”

Mr Trump later travelled to the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he called for a new era of peace in the Middle East, saying the region has “a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us”.

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Speaking to world leaders attending the summit, he urged them “to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past”.

The war began when Hamas stormed into Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage.

Israel invaded Gaza in retaliation, with airstrikes and ground assaults devastating much of the enclave and killing more than 67,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants but it says around half of those killed were women and children.