Israel says remains returned by Hamas are not new Gaza hostage body

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the remains of a hostage returned by Hamas overnight are body parts of another hostage who was recovered in Gaza by Israeli troops almost two years ago — an announcement that will likely rattle the tenuous, U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the remains of a hostage returned by Hamas overnight are body parts of another hostage who was recovered in Gaza by Israeli troops almost two years ago — an announcement that will likely rattle the tenuous, U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.

Under the truce, Hamas is expected to return all Israeli hostage remains as soon as possible.

Netanyahu called the return of body parts a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement by the militant group. He said he will convene the heads of the military and defense establishment for an emergency discussion on Tuesday afternoon to weigh Israel’s response.

Israeli media said his likely options include halting the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza, expanding Israeli control of Gaza or carrying out airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders.

There are still 13 bodies of hostages in Gaza, and the slow recovery of those remains is posing a challenge to implementing the next stages of the ceasefire. Hamas has said it is struggling to locate the bodies amid the vast destruction in Gaza, while Israel has accused the militant group of purposely delaying their return.