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Israel believes Hamas can’t find all deceased hostages as Gaza war talks continue in Egypt. Ceasefire hinges on hostage return, with uncertainty over fate of 28 remaining captives
The Israeli government is aware that Hamas may not know the location of, or is unable to retrieve, the remains of some of the 28 remaining deceased hostages. (Reuters/Representative Image)
As the talks for end of Gaza war continues in Egypt, Israel believes that Hamas won’t be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages.
CNN quoted sources as saying that the Israeli government is aware that Hamas may not know the location of, or is unable to retrieve, the remains of some of the 28 remaining deceased hostages. According to one of the sources, the number is between seven and nine, another source put it between 10 and 15.
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It is believed that 20 hostages are alive but their health conditions remain unknown.
One of the sources said that the opinion is based on Israeli intelligence reports and texts from Hamas and mediators in recurring rounds of negotiations.
During the current round of talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Israel has demanded return of all hostages (both living and dead) as a condition for ending the war.
A senior Hamas official said that negotiators for the group and Israel have exchanged lists of hostages and prisoners who would be freed if a ceasefire agreement is reached.
The ceasefire discussions are centered around a 20-point peace proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump.
CNN quoted the three Israeli sources as saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet have known for months that Hamas does not know the whereabouts of some of the deceased hostages and may therefore be unable to meet that demand.
Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs under President Joe Biden said: “It’s been the case from the outset that they (Hamas) have not had control over all of the hostages. It’s far more likely they can recover all of the living hostages.”
First Published:
October 09, 2025, 00:18 IST
News world Hamas Won’t Be Able To Find And Return Remaining Hostages, Says Israel
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