Media: Hamas, Red Cross resume search for Israeli hostage remains in northern Gaza

Hamas, in coordination with the Red Cross, has resumed efforts to locate the remains of Israeli hostages who perished in the Gaza Strip’s northern region.

The renewed search follows the receipt of forensic information from Israeli authorities regarding previously transferred remains, Al Jazeera reports.

Earlier, Israel confirmed that the remains handed over by Hamas the previous day did not correspond to the two deceased hostages, underscoring ongoing challenges in identifying the victims.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have reportedly killed 357 Palestinians during the first 50 days of the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and the Government Media Office. The ongoing violence has exacerbated humanitarian concerns in the region.

The United Nations General Assembly has recently adopted a resolution concerning the “peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine,” reflecting the international community’s continued engagement with the conflict.

In the occupied West Bank, two Palestinian teenagers were killed on December 2 following Israeli military claims that the youths carried out car-ramming and stabbing attacks. The incidents highlight the persistent tensions across both Gaza and the West Bank despite the ceasefire.

Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 70,117 Palestinian deaths and 170,999 injuries, according to local authorities. In Israel, the October 7 attacks claimed the lives of 1,139 people, with approximately 200 individuals taken captive by Hamas militants.

By Vafa Guliyeva