Hamas, Islamic Jihad announce hostage body handover

A Red Cross vehicle, escorted by a van driven by a Hamas militant, moves in an area within the so-called "yellow line" to which Israeli troops withdrew under the ceasefire, as Hamas says it continues to search for the bodies of deceased hostages seized during the Oct 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in Gaza City Nov 12, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alk

The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said on Thursday they would hand over the body of a hostage at 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT), though Israel said it had not received any official notification of a planned transfer.

Islamic Jihad, which is allied with Hamas and also seized hostages during the October 7, 2023, attack that precipitated the Gaza war, said the body was recovered in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

Under an October ceasefire deal, Hamas released all 20 surviving hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees held by Israel.

The agreement also provided for the return of the remains of 28 hostages in exchange for the remains of 360 militants.

Until Thursday, the remains of four hostages were still held in Gaza.

An Israeli government spokesperson told reporters Israel was unaware of any planned return, despite media reports suggesting the handover could take place later on Thursday.