• Israel confirms three bodies received from Gaza are not hostages, complicating ceasefire efforts.
• The handover follows an exchange of Palestinian bodies after previously released hostages.
• The fragile truce has faced challenges amid ongoing violence and humanitarian issues.

Israel announced on Saturday that three bodies handed over from Gaza via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are not those of hostages held by Palestinian militants. This confirmation marks a setback in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which aims to return all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, since its implementation on October 10, 2023, according to India Times, Le Monde, and LA Times.

Israeli authorities confirmed that forensic analysis indicated the remains did not match any of the remaining deceased hostages that are anticipated to be returned as part of the ongoing negotiations, with the Prime Minister's office affirming these findings, according to NPR and South China Morning Post.

The handover came after Israel returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza in an exchange that had followed Hamas's release of remains from two previously held hostages. Since the ceasefire started, Hamas has turned over the remains of 17 dead hostages, while 11 others remain unaccounted for in Gaza, as reported by Reuters and CBS News.

Hamas also indicated that it provided bodies that had not been positively identified; allegations arose that Israel refused to accept any samples for DNA testing prior to agreeing on their transfer. The exchange processes have been slow, complicated by extensive destruction in Gaza and the presence of Israeli military, according to Anadolu Agency and India Times.

The ceasefire itself, although holding since October 10, has faced increased violence recently, with Israel conducting strikes in Gaza following the death of an Israeli soldier, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Reports indicate that over 100 Palestinians were killed in recent strikes countered by ongoing calls for peace and the establishment of a Palestinian policing authority supported by international forces, according to Le Monde and Reuters.