Teams from Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have entered Gaza to search for the bodies of deceased hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, Israeli authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The Israeli government stated that both Egyptian and ICRC teams were granted permission to operate beyond the “yellow line”, a designated boundary controlled by Israeli forces inside Gaza. This marks the first time such international search teams have been allowed into the area.
Egypt Leads Recovery Effort Under Ceasefire Agreement
The move comes as Hamas transfers 15 out of 28 deceased Israeli hostages under the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal, which requires the return of all hostage bodies. The militant group said it is now coordinating directly with Egyptian authorities to complete the process.
An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed that the Egyptian team would use excavation machinery and trucks to locate the remains, working alongside ICRC personnel.
“If Hamas made more of an effort, they would be able to retrieve the remains of our hostages,” the spokesperson added, noting that some bodies are buried deep under rubble caused by Israeli airstrikes.
Trump Warns Hamas to Return Hostage Bodies Quickly
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who brokered the ceasefire agreement earlier this month in Sharm el-Sheikh, warned Hamas to “return the bodies quickly,” or face action from countries involved in what he called “this great peace.”
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Some of the bodies are hard to reach, but others they can return now. Perhaps it has to do with their disarming. Let’s see what they do over the next 48 hours. I am watching this very closely.”
Humanitarian Operations Expand in Gaza
Until now, Israel had not approved the entry of foreign search or recovery teams. Egypt, a key mediator along with Qatar and Turkey, has taken on an increasingly active role in implementing the terms of the ceasefire.
The ICRC continues to play a central role in the transfer of hostages and bodies — serving as a neutral intermediary that escorts captives through Gaza before handing them over to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Hamas officials said their efforts to locate remaining hostages are being hampered by extensive destruction across the enclave. According to UN estimates, nearly 84% of Gaza has been reduced to rubble after more than two years of Israeli bombardment.
International Force Discussions Continue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that Israel will decide which international forces can operate in Gaza under the Trump peace plan, aimed at ensuring long-term security and stability.
“We are in control of our security… Israel will determine which forces are acceptable to us,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that “many countries” have expressed willingness to join the Gaza security mission, but emphasized that Israel must approve all participants — a likely reference to Turkey, whose involvement Israel has reportedly vetoed.
However, questions remain over how such a force could operate without coordination from Hamas.
Casualties and Human Toll
The war, now in its third year, began after Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages in the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel.
Since then, at least 68,519 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes, according to the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry.
