A senior Hamas official has accused Israel of being responsible for delays in locating and returning the bodies of captives still missing in Gaza. This statement comes in response to Israeli officials’ claims that Hamas is withholding the bodies as part of a US-brokered peace deal that ended a two-year conflict. The Hamas source, speaking to Middle East Eye, emphasized that the ongoing presence of Israeli forces and their indiscriminate attacks have significantly complicated efforts to retrieve the bodies, requiring more time and resources. The source highlighted that this was explicitly acknowledged during negotiations, with a specific clause in the agreement addressing the establishment of an information-sharing mechanism to facilitate the process. Hamas recently released 20 living captives and the bodies of four deceased individuals, with plans to hand over 28 more bodies as part of the deal. However, the source criticized Israel’s continued closure of the Rafah border crossing, calling it a violation of the agreement and a hindrance to rescue and aid efforts. The official also condemned Israel’s military actions, which have resulted in the deaths of captives and the loss of contact with units responsible for their remains. Hamas remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement but urges international mediators to intervene to address the ongoing challenges posed by Israel’s actions.
Exclusive: Hamas says Israel’s ‘indiscriminate’ destruction of Gaza behind delay in locating captives’ bodies
