Israel Says Hamas Returned Remains of Previously Recovered Hostage, Violating Peace Deal
Israel’s government stated today that remains returned by Hamas yesterday belonged to Ofir Tzarfati, a hostage whose body was recovered by Israeli forces approximately two years ago, a move officials are calling a breach of the current peace agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the identification process completed this morning revealed the remains were those of Tzarfati, and that this “constitutes a clear violation of the [Gaza peace] agreement.” Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Israel’s defense establishment to discuss a response. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing families of those still held in Gaza, urged authorities to “act decisively” against Hamas, accusing the group of deliberately attempting to undermine the deal. This development casts further doubt on the ongoing efforts to recover the remains of the 13 hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of staging the discovery of Tzarfati’s remains, alleging operatives buried the body remains and then falsely presented their recovery. The IDF stated its drones recorded Hamas operatives “removing body remains from a structure that had been prepared in advance and burying them nearby” on Monday. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, speaking with Al Jazeera, maintained the group is fully committed to the ceasefire agreement and blamed Israel for obstructing recovery efforts by limiting the entry of heavy equipment into Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread destruction, making the location of remains increasingly difficult – a situation detailed in reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch.
The Tzarfati family expressed their devastation, stating the act was “an abhorrent manipulation designed to sabotage the deal and abandon the effort to bring all the hostages home.” Israeli officials indicated that any response will be coordinated with the U.S. government. Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel’s next steps will be discussed following the meeting with defense officials.
