JERUSALEM — Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza began on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 23 hostages held for the past two years. But the process of returning the bodies of the five remaining hostages, as called for under the truce deal, is progressing slowly.

Hamas says it has not been able to reach all of the remains because they are buried under rubble left by Israel's two-year offensive in Gaza. Israel has accused the militants of dragging their feet and threatened to resume military operations or withhold humanitarian aid if all remains are not returned.

In the most recent release, Hamas returned the remains of an Israeli man who died while fighting Hamas in the militants' Oct. 7, 2023 attack that started the war. He was identified as Lior Rudaeff,

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