Hamas has returned the bodies of four more Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, bringing the total number of deceased hostages handed over to eight. This transfer occurred on October 14, 2025, amid rising tensions over humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed that the remains were delivered to Israeli military authorities in Gaza and will be taken to the National Centre for Forensic Medicine for identification.

The move follows Israel's announcement that it would cut humanitarian aid to Gaza by half due to concerns over the slow return of hostages' remains. The Israeli military agency, COGAT, indicated that only 300 out of the planned 600 aid trucks would be allowed into Gaza. The United Nations' humanitarian office has been informed of these cuts, raising alarms about the worsening situation in the territory.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern over the slow return of hostages, stating, "If they do not disarm, we will disarm them." This comes after a recent ceasefire agreement that saw the release of 20 living hostages and approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, families of the deceased hostages have voiced their frustration, noting that only four of the 28 bodies were returned on Monday, which they view as a violation of the agreement by Hamas.

The identities of the four deceased hostages returned on Monday have been confirmed as Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, Cpt. Daniel Peretz, and Yossi Sharabi. Illouz was abducted from a music festival, while Joshi was taken from a bomb shelter during the initial Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The families of the hostages are left in uncertainty, with some expressing fears that the return of remains may cease altogether.

In addition to the hostages, the Red Cross reported the transfer of 45 deceased Palestinians to Nasser Hospital in Gaza, part of ongoing exchanges following the ceasefire. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with calls for urgent restoration of basic services as rebuilding efforts are estimated to require $70 billion.

As the situation evolves, questions about the future governance of Gaza and the potential for lasting peace continue to loom large, with many displaced residents appealing for immediate assistance to restore normalcy in their lives.