The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to yield heartbreaking developments, even amidst fragile ceasefires. Recent reports detail the handover of the body of an Israeli captive by Saraya al-Quds, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. This event, occurring on November 25th, 2025, underscores the complex and tragic realities of the conflict and the ongoing efforts to account for all those missing. The process, while part of the agreed-upon terms, has been met with accusations of delay and further strain on the already tenuous prisoner exchange agreement.
Details of the Handover and Israeli Response to the Prisoner Exchange
According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent, the handover took place in the evening, with Saraya al-Quds delivering the remains to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah. Israel’s Channel 12 confirmed that the Israeli army had received the body through the Red Cross. This development followed an earlier joint announcement by Hamas and Islamic Jihad stating their intention to hand over the body of an Israeli captive found in central Gaza at 4:00 PM local time, aligning with the stipulations of the US-brokered ceasefire.
The joint statement explicitly linked the handover to “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”, the name given to the Hamas-led attack on October 7th, 2023, framing it as part of the ongoing exchange of prisoners and remains. The initial stipulated time for the handover was 4:00 PM Gaza time (14:00 GMT).
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, currently facing international scrutiny for alleged war crimes in Gaza, criticized Islamic Jihad for what they characterized as a “delay” in the handover, labeling it an “additional violation” of the ceasefire. A statement released by the office expressed “grave concern” regarding the postponed transfer, hinting at potential ramifications. This reaction highlights the delicate balance and heightened sensitivities surrounding every aspect of the agreement.
Saraya al-Quds had previously announced on Monday evening that they had located the remains of one of three remaining Israeli captives within the Gaza Strip, during searches of areas controlled by the Israeli army in central Gaza. A source within the movement, speaking anonymously, indicated the recovery took place after days of searching in the al-Maghraqa area, north of the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A New Report
Alongside the developments regarding the captive’s remains, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that hospitals in the Strip received 17 fatalities within the past 24 hours: three newly deceased and 14 bodies recovered from under the rubble, alongside 16 injuries.
This brings the total number of Palestinian fatalities since October 7th, 2023, to 69,775, with 170,965 individuals injured. The sheer scale of loss of life and the ongoing influx of casualties are overwhelming the already strained healthcare system. These grim statistics paint a clear picture of the devastation unfolding daily.
Further complicating the situation, the Gaza Governmental Media Office accused the “Gaza Humanity Foundation” of operating as a deceptive humanitarian front, alleging it transformed its facilities into “sites of death and mass killings”. The office reported that 2,615 Palestinians have died from starvation near centers operated by the foundation.
The Gaza Humanity Foundation and Ceasefire Implementation
The “Gaza Humanity Foundation,” reportedly controlled by American and Israeli entities, announced the conclusion of its emergency mission in the Strip. This announcement followed months of criticism and international debate regarding the foundation’s operations and their impact on the humanitarian situation. In a statement, the foundation claimed to have successfully delivered over 187 million individual meals to civilians, ensuring secure access to food assistance.
However, these claims are viewed with skepticism in light of the grave humanitarian conditions and accusations of misuse of aid. The foundation’s activities have been subject to scrutiny, raising questions about the efficiency and equitable distribution of assistance.
The current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 10th, has facilitated some progress in the hostage release process. Hamas has returned all twenty living hostages held since the October 7th, 2023 attack. Additionally, they have repatriated 25 bodies of deceased hostages out of a total of 28 remaining in the Gaza Strip, as stipulated by the agreement negotiated with American assistance.
In return, Israel has released approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees from its prisons, and has returned the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza. The continued, albeit slow, flow of prisoner releases and returned remains is vital for both sides to fulfill their commitments under the ceasefire.
Looking Ahead: Fragile Progress and Urgent Needs
The handover of the Israeli captive’s body, despite the initial delays, represents a step forward – however small – in the process of accounting for those missing from both sides of the conflict. However, the accusations of ceasefire violations and the ongoing humanitarian crisis underscore the fragility of the current situation.
The international community must continue to exert pressure on all parties to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire, prioritize the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and work towards a lasting resolution to the conflict. The focus must remain on alleviating the suffering of civilians and ensuring the safe return of all remaining hostages and the remains of the deceased. The future of the prisoner exchange and the overall stability of the region depend on it.
