Israel says Islamic Jihad’s delay of hostage body handover a ceasefire ‘violation’
11/25/2025 2:15:11 PM
Israel on Tuesday said a delay by Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in handing over a hostage body it said it had found in Gaza was a “violation” of the fragile ceasefire.
The armed wing of Islamic Jihad said it had located on Monday the body of a hostage during search operations in the central Gaza Strip.
A source in Islamic Jihad, who requested anonymity, confirmed the body belonged to one of the last three hostages held by militants in the territory.
“In light of the Islamic Jihad’s announcement regarding the location of findings related to a deceased hostage, Israel views with severity the delay in their immediate transfer,” the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
“This constitutes a further violation of the agreement. Israel demands the immediate return of the three deceased hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip,” it added.
The armed wing of Islamic Jihad said it had located on Monday the body of a hostage during search operations in the central Gaza Strip.
A source in Islamic Jihad, who requested anonymity, confirmed the body belonged to one of the last three hostages held by militants in the territory.
“In light of the Islamic Jihad’s announcement regarding the location of findings related to a deceased hostage, Israel views with severity the delay in their immediate transfer,” the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
“This constitutes a further violation of the agreement. Israel demands the immediate return of the three deceased hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip,” it added.