Israel: three Gaza remains not hostages, risking ceasefire

Israeli authorities said this week they received three bodies from Gaza via the International Committee of the Red Cross but that initial intelligence and forensic checks indicate the remains are not those of Israeli hostages, a development that risks undermining a fragile, U.S.-brokered ceasefire that depends on a steady exchange of prisoners and bodies. The transfers and the subsequent dispute over their identity came amid renewed violence this week that briefly shattered the truce and left scores dead in Gaza, according to local health officials.

The three caskets were moved from Gaza to Israeli custody after a handover facilitated by the Red Cross. Israeli military and forensic teams said the remains were being examined at the national forensics laboratory and families would be informed once identification is complete. An Israeli military source and the prime minister’s office later said preliminary findings and intelligence did not match the remains to any of the hostages believed still in Gaza.

Hamas’s armed wing said the bodies had been found under rubble and handed over to counter allegations that it was obstructing the process. The group and Israeli officials continue...