Hamas to release bodies of two more dead hostages — as Vance warns return of all won’t ‘happen overnight’
Hamas will hand over the bodies of two more Israeli hostages on Tuesday, according to the group’s latest statement. The bodies will be given to the Red Cross and then to the Israel Defense Forces for identification and burial, the Times of Israel reported.
The release comes as Gaza still holds the remains of 15 hostages, including 19‑year‑old Itay Chen from New York and 21‑year‑old Omer Neutra from Long Island. Hamas has been sending a few bodies each day while it digs through the rubble of the war‑torn strip.
Last Monday, the only body released was that of Sgt. Maj. Tal Haimi, a 41‑year‑old Israeli who died protecting his kibbutz during the October 7 attack. His identity was confirmed by Israeli forensic experts.
U.S. Vice‑President J.D. Vance flew to Israel this week and warned that getting all the bodies back will take time. “This isn’t going to happen overnight,” he told lawmakers. Vance emphasized that the destruction in Gaza makes quick retrieval difficult, but the U.S. remains committed to bringing the remains home.
The U.N. Red Cross will receive the bodies in the early afternoon, and the Israeli army is ready to receive them for final identification. The U.S. and Israel are working together, using U.S. intelligence to locate the missing hostages and their remains.
Vance also said that while the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is “better than I expected,” it remains fragile. He urged the U.S. to stay involved to help ensure a peaceful transition in Gaza.
Despite the slow pace, the administration stresses that it is working hard to return every body for proper burial, a promise that has kept families and officials hopeful amid the ongoing conflict.
Source: New York Post
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