Israeli military says Hamas handed over wrong hostage body amid fragile Gaza ceasefire

The Israeli military on Wednesday, Oct 15, said that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement was not that of a hostage held in Gaza, adding further strain to an already fragile truce between the two sides.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) disclosed that forensic examinations conducted at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine confirmed that the "fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages."

Israel has asked Hamas to fulfil all obligations under the ceasefire, warning that there would be no compromise on the return of remaining hostages.

"Following the completion of examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages," the IDF said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

"Hamas is required to make all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages," it added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated stating, "We will not compromise on this and will not stop our efforts until we return the last deceased hostage, until the last one."

Misidentified body deepens tensions 

Hamas had delivered four coffins to Israel late Tuesday, Oct 14, each believed to contain the remains of the hostages taken during the war.

However, only three were confirmed through DNA testing to be those of Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, and Eitan Levi, as per news agency The Associated Press (AP).

The misidentification of the fourth body has reignited tensions, with Israel questioning the ability of Hamas to meet its commitments under the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump.

This is not the first such incident. During a previous truce, Hamas mistakenly returned the body of a Palestinian woman instead of an Israeli hostage, as per AP.

Exchange of body and air concerns 

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for every Israeli body received. Israel has reportedly transferred 90 bodies to Gaza as of yet, while Gaza's Health Ministry said it has received an additional 45 on Wednesday, Oct 15, as per TIME.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continued to mediate the transfers. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid to Gaza has slowed significantly.

The Egyptian Red Crescent told AP that 400 trucks carrying essential supplies were enroute to Gaza on Oct 15, but Israel's COGAT body said that it would allow only half of the 600 trucks agreed under the deal.

The United Nations has expressed concerns over Israel's decision to restrict aid, warning both parties to adhere to the ceasefire terms to prevent further escalation.