Teams from Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have begun searching for the bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza, following permission from Israeli authorities. This marks the first time non-Israeli teams have been allowed to operate beyond the so-called “yellow line” the boundary delineating areas controlled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) under the ongoing ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli government confirmed that Egyptian and ICRC teams will use excavator machines and trucks to recover bodies of hostages taken during the 7 October Hamas attacks. The development follows the initial phase of a US-brokered peace deal, which requires Hamas to return the remains of all deceased hostages.
According to Israeli media reports, Hamas members have also been permitted to enter IDF-controlled zones of Gaza to assist with the recovery efforts, under ICRC supervision. So far, Hamas has transferred 15 out of 28 deceased hostages and is coordinating with Egyptian authorities to complete the process.
Former US President Donald Trump, who brokered the current ceasefire and peace framework, urged Hamas to accelerate the returns, warning that “other countries involved in this great peace will take action” if delays continue.
Egypt’s involvement underscores its crucial role in regional mediation. Alongside Qatar and Turkey, Egypt was a signatory to the Trump-brokered Gaza peace plan signed in Sharm el-Sheikh earlier this month. The arrival of Egyptian excavation teams inside Gaza represents a significant step forward in implementing the agreement.
For the families of the victims, the news offers a measure of hope after weeks of uncertainty. The ICRC continues to act as the primary intermediary, receiving the bodies from Hamas before handing them over to the IDF for proper identification and burial.
The ongoing cooperation between Egypt, the ICRC, and Israel marks a rare moment of humanitarian collaboration amid fragile peace efforts in Gaza.
