The already fragile truce is at risk as Israel and Hamas trade accusations of violating the U.S.-mediated agreement. Israel is still demanding the return of the bodies of remaining hostages in Gaza, while Hamas alleges that Israeli forces have killed over 20 civilians since the start of the truce last week.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is facilitating the exchanges, reported that Hamas transferred the bodies of two dead Israeli hostages on Wednesday night.
Under the agreement, Israel is also returning bodies of Palestinians recovered from Gaza during the conflict. Thirty bodies were handed over on Thursday, totaling 120 returned by Israel.
The ministry claimed some bodies showed evidence of abuse, with identification still underway. Similar claims regarding the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons surfaced earlier in the week. TIME has contacted the Israeli Defense Forces for their response.
The Israeli army identified the returned hostages as Inbar Hayman, 27, and Sergeant Major Muhammad Al-Atresh, 39, both killed during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.
“Hamas must honor its commitment and work to return all hostages to their families for a proper burial,” the statement read.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Thursday that Israel “will not back down and will do everything possible to bring back all fallen hostages, without exception.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum accused Hamas of breaking the agreement and argued that “Israel should not make any unilateral concessions” while hostage remains are in Gaza. “The agreement cannot continue unless Hamas returns all hostages,” the Forum stated.
Earlier this week, Israel threatened to limit humanitarian aid to Gaza until progress is made on recovering the remains of hostages, a move condemned by U.N. officials who stressed that food and medicine “cannot be used as leverage.”
President Donald Trump stated that Israeli forces could resume operations in Gaza “as soon as I give the order.”
“The situation with Hamas will be resolved quickly,” he added.
Hamas has released all 20 living hostages covered by the truce, but only nine of the 28 known dead. The group stated they need more time and resources to find more remains due to the extensive destruction in Gaza.
“The resistance has adhered to the agreement by handing over all living captives and the bodies recovered,” the statement read. “Finding and recovering the remaining bodies requires significant effort and specialized equipment, and we are working hard to finalize this matter.”
U.S. advisors on Wednesday dismissed Israeli concerns, suggesting that Hamas is acting in good faith regarding the agreement.
The ministry reported on Thursday that 23 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began. They added that 381 more bodies have been recovered in Gaza since Oct. 11, bringing the total death toll to over 67,900 since the start of the conflict.
Israel initiated its invasion of Gaza following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in nearly 1,200 deaths and the capture of around 250 hostages.
Without independent monitoring on the ground, the ministry is the main source of casualty data for humanitarian groups, journalists, and international organizations.
Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME. The Israeli army’s casualty figures suggest different numbers.
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