Israel
Hamas accused of holding back bodies in breach of ceasefire deal
‘We will not abandon any hostage,’ the Hostages and Missing Families Forum vowed
October 13, 2025 13:32
‘We will not abandon any hostage,’ the Hostages and Missing Families Forum vowed
October 13, 2025 13:32The bodies of just four deceased hostages held by Hamas will be returned by the terror group today, rather than full group of 28 agreed, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has announced, describing the “grave injustice” as a “blatant breach” of the ceasefire deal.
The four hostages whose remains will be returned today are Yossi Sharabi, Daniel Peretz, Guy Illouz, all of whom were Israeli, and Bipin Joshi, a Nepalese agriculture student, Hamas has confirmed. It was thought until today that Joshi might still be alive. Tamir Nimrodi is the only hostage whose fate remains unknown.
In a statement on X, the group called for “the immediate suspension of all agreement implementation until every deceased individual is returned”.
It said: “Hamas’s violation of the agreement must be met with a very serious response from the government and the mediators. An agreement must be honoured by both sides. If Hamas does not fulfil their part, Israel should not fulfil its part either. We demand all 28 hostages back. We will not give up on anyone, until the last hostage is returned.”
While jubilant scenes erupted across Israel as all 20 living hostages were finally released from captivity in Gaza, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum highlighted in an earlier post that it was a day of mixed emotions for many, as the group expressed “shock and dismay” that only a few of the deceased hostages’ bodies would come home today.
“The hostage families were shocked and dismayed to learn that only four deceased hostages will be returned today, out of 28 held by Hamas,” it said.
“This represents a blatant breach of the agreement by Hamas. We expect Israel’s government and the mediators to take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice.
“The families of the deceased hostages are enduring especially difficult days filled with deep sorrow.
It added: “We will not abandon any hostage. The mediators must enforce the agreement’s terms and ensure Hamas pays a price for this violation.”
Israeli authorities have not yet confirmed the forum’s announcement nor released the names of the deceased hostages whose remains will be returned today.
The IDF said in a statement: “According to information received, the Red Cross is on its way to the meeting point in the southern Gaza Strip, where several coffins of deceased hostages will be transferred into their custody.
"The IDF is prepared to receive additional coffins of deceased hostages expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit requests from the public to act with sensitivity and wait for the official identification, which will first be provided to the families of the hostages.”
Speaking to The JC at the Re’im base – where he was to celebrate the return of the living hostages – Zamir Haimi, uncle of hostage Tal Haimi, said: “It was very important for me to be here today.
“My family will not receive Tal back alive, and there are likely more families who won’t see their loved ones return either, but it’s important to be here for those coming home today and for their families.
"We’ve become one big family over the last two years. I’m happy for them – I feel their joy.”
Tal Haimi, from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, was killed aged 41 while defending his kibbutz on October 7 and his body was taken to Gaza.
“For Tal, it’s too soon to say what will happen,” Zamir added. “I hope we find all the deceased hostages whose locations are still unknown. As for Israel, we will have to rebuild and heal.”
Just last week, the mother of Tamir Nimrodi told the BBC News that she still didn’t know if her sone was alive or dead.
She said he was the only Israeli hostage whose family had not been told of his status, adding that she was “fearing the worst” but clinging to hope that "he's still hanging on" after two years in Hamas captivity.
The names of the dead hostages due to be returned are:
Tamir Nimrodi is the final hostage. He was previously believed to be alive but his name was not included on Hamas’s list of living hostages.
Additional reporting by Amelie Botbol
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.