Copyright thejc
Three bodies returned by Hamas yesterday have all been identified as slain hostages. The remains of Colonel Asaf Hamami, Captain Omer Neutra and Staff Sergeant Oz Daniel were transferred to Israel via the Red Cross last night. All three men were serving IDF soldiers who fell fighting Hamas terrorists near the Gaza border as they tried to repel the October 7 attacks. Their bodies were then abducted to the Strip, where they have remained for more than two years. US President Trump hailed the release of Omer, a US-Israeli dual national who was born in New York. "[His family are] thrilled in one sense, but in another sense, obviously, it’s not too great. "We’re very happy to have done it." Omer's father, Ronen, echoed the president by quoting the book of Jeremiah, saying: "There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your children shall return to their own land." "Our Omer is on Israeli soil. Finally — so much pain and so much relief,” he added. The trio's return came after Hamas released three bodies that did not match any hostages over the weekend. The remains of three unidentified people were transferred to the IDF via the Red Cross late on Friday night. However, upon completion of a forensic examination, none were found to be a match for any of the 11 hostages, all confirmed dead, who are still held in Gaza. It is the second time since the ceasefire was agreed that Hamas has returned bodies that do not correspond to any of the hostages. Israel has accused the group of violating the ceasefire with these false returns and has claimed that it is delaying releasing the remaining hostages in order to prevent the progression of the Trump-backed peace plan, the next phase of which requires its disarmament. Hamas has also continued to fire on IDF troops, with a reservist killed last week. That prompted retaliatory airstrikes from Israel, which the Hamas-run Health Ministry claimed killed more than 100 people – though this does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Following the strikes, the IDF confirmed its “renewed enforcement of the ceasefire”. "The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it,” said a military spokesman. The latest release brings the number of captives still held in Gaza down to eight, all of whom are confirmed dead. They have been named as Itay Chen, Meny Godard, Hadar Goldin, Ran Gvili, Joshua Mollel, Dror Or, Sudthisak Rinthalak and Lior Rudaeff.
