Israel fears that Hamas may not return all hostages’ bodies

Israel is preparing not only to receive living hostages but also to identify the bodies of the dead, with the Ministry of Religious Services having completed the necessary preparations, the Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.

Under the agreement struck between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization must release all hostages it holds, living or dead.

The ministry’s director general, Yehuda Avidan, said there was concern that Hamas might not be able to hand over all the remains, in an interview with public broadcaster Kan radio.

Media reports have cited the massive destruction in the Gaza Strip as a factor that could prevent the bodies from being found.

According to Israeli information, 48 hostages remain in the Gaza Strip, of whom 20 are said to be alive.

The Israeli authorities have previously expressed great concern about the fate of two other hostages – a German-Israeli national and a Nepalese agriculture student.

Only one of the remaining hostages is a woman. She had been declared dead.

“We are preparing to receive between one and 28 [bodies],” Avidan told the broadcaster Kan, according to the Jerusalem Post. He said his greatest fear was Hamas claiming that some bodies could not be found, leaving families without closure.

After strict security checks, the bodies are to be taken to a forensic institute in Tel Aviv for identification.

The handover of the living hostages is expected on Monday morning, Israeli radio reported. The handover of bodies is also expected to begin then.