Thu Oct 30 22:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Remains of Two More Hostages Returned Amid Fragile Gaza Ceasefire

JERUSALEM – October 31, 2025 – The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that the remains of two more hostages, Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper, held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attack, have been returned. The remains were transferred to the Red Cross in Gaza and subsequently transported to Israel for identification.

The return of Baruch and Cooper’s remains marks the latest development in a fragile ceasefire agreement aimed at winding down the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. This brings the total number of hostage remains returned by Hamas since the start of the ceasefire to 17, with 11 others still expected to be released under the agreement.

In exchange, Israel has returned the bodies of 195 Palestinians to authorities in Gaza, without specifying their identities or circumstances of death.

The conflict, triggered by the 2023 Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages, has led to a devastating Israeli military offensive in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 68,600 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict.

Despite the hostage exchange, the ceasefire remains precarious. Overnight strikes in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, reportedly injured at least 40 people after Israel accused Hamas of violating the agreement and killed one of its soldiers. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of “powerful strikes” if Hamas continues to violate the ceasefire and reiterated Israel’s objective of disarming and demilitarizing Gaza.

Hamas has denied any involvement in the soldier’s death and, in turn, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal.

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