Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday he would consult with the defense establishment to determine an appropriate response to what he described as new violations of the ceasefire deal by Hamas, after the militant group returned the remains of a hostage on Monday, remains which, according to Israeli authorities, had already been recovered two years ago.
Red Cross transports the body of a deceased hostage, who had been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023, attack, after it was handed over by Hamas militants as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Gaza City, October 27, 2025. Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday he would consult with the defense establishment to determine an appropriate response to what he described as new violations of the ceasefire deal by Hamas, after the militant group returned the remains of a hostage on Monday, remains which, according to Israeli authorities, had already been recovered two years ago.
“This is not just a violation of trust — it’s a deliberate attempt to manipulate and provoke,” said a senior Israeli official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The remains, which Hamas claimed belonged to an Israeli hostage, were handed over through mediators as part of ongoing ceasefire arrangements. However, Israeli intelligence quickly identified them as having already been repatriated and buried, suggesting either bad faith or a breakdown in internal coordination within Hamas.
"Hamas is not a partner for peace"
Reacting to the incident, Netanyahu reiterated his long-standing position: “We must never lose sight of the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organization, not a state actor. It is not a military force bound by international law or agreements. It is a violent group that will use any opportunity to deceive and exploit.”
He added that Israel reserves the right to respond firmly to any manipulation or breach of the fragile ceasefire framework.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions and ongoing negotiations for a broader agreement that could include the release of remaining hostages, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and international monitoring mechanisms.
The ceasefire, while reducing open hostilities, remains fragile and under constant strain due to violations and mistrust on both sides.
Israeli officials have expressed growing skepticism about Hamas’ willingness to adhere to any lasting agreement, especially in light of past episodes involving fake prisoner lists, last-minute reversals, and use of civilians as human shields.
Netanyahu said he will convene top defense and intelligence officials to assess Israel’s position moving forward. Military analysts suggest the country may adopt a range of responses, from diplomatic pressure on mediators like Egypt and Qatar, to targeted operations if provocations continue.
Sheikh Rafeh Halabi, a senior figure in Israel’s Druze community who presents himself as dean of the descendants of the Prophet (Naqib al-Ashraf) for Jerusalem and president of the Jerusalem branch of an international human-rights organization, has sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump calling for immediate American action to halt what he describes as the starvation and extermination of Druze in Syria’s Sweida province.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Wednesday that the government does not plan to deport Palestinians from Gaza, after two Israeli ministers this month floated proposals for the mass removal of Palestinians from the coastal territory.
Israel will open its first embassy in Slovenia on Wednesday in a sign of warming relations after populist Janez Jansa formed a centre-right government following elections in March.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.
