Media: Israel says Hamas slow on returning hostage bodies Next phase of Gaza deal stalled

Israel informed the Trump administration that Hamas is not doing enough to recover the bodies of dead Israeli hostages, with officials warning that the next phase of the Gaza peace deal cannot proceed until progress is made, according to two Israeli and one U.S. official cited by Axios.

Under the agreement, Hamas is required to make a “maximum effort” to return the bodies of 28 dead hostages, including two American citizens. Israel claims that the group has fallen short of those obligations.

The immediate crisis was eased over the past 24 hours when Hamas returned the bodies of three hostages on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday, bringing the total recovered to nine out of 28. Following these returns, Israel temporarily backed off threats to reduce the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza and to keep the Egypt-Gaza border crossing closed.

Hamas, however, has stated that it does not have additional remains to return and that recovering more would require “efforts and special equipment.” Israeli officials acknowledge that some bodies may be difficult to locate but estimate that between 15 and 20 could be returned relatively quickly.

The issue has become a key sticking point for U.S. efforts to begin negotiations on the next phase of the deal, which would address sensitive questions including governance and security in Gaza. Israeli officials caution that progress will be difficult without further returns of the hostage remains.

Both Israeli and U.S. sources express concern that ultranationalist ministers in the Netanyahu government, particularly Betzalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, could use the issue to undermine the deal and push for renewed military action.

“Hamas will give all the bodies back, but it is going to take time. We will continue working on it but we can't allow the deal to collapse,” a U.S. official told Axios.

On Wednesday, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer spoke to Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, accusing Hamas of “slow-walking” the returns, the officials said. Israel also provided new intelligence indicating that Hamas has access to more of the bodies than it has acknowledged.

“We don't see Hamas making maximum effort regarding the bodies. We know they can do more and we don't think anybody should give them any discounts,” a senior Israeli official said.

Two senior U.S. advisers said Kushner and Witkoff encouraged Israel to share all available information on the possible locations of bodies so the U.S. could “challenge” Hamas to “do more to find more bodies.” The advisers noted that they do not believe Hamas has yet violated the agreement.

President Trump commented Wednesday that he believes Hamas is actively searching for the bodies. “It's a very gruesome process. They are digging. There are areas where they dig and find many bodies, and they need to separate them. Some of the bodies have been there for a long time. Some are buried under the rubble, some are in tunnels,” he said.

Advisers added that heavy equipment not currently available in Gaza is necessary for the recovery and that reaching all the deceased hostages is “almost impossible.” The U.S. plans to offer rewards for information leading to the bodies and will work with Turkey and other governments to provide expert assistance.

Israel has reiterated its commitment to advancing toward phase two of the deal, which includes Hamas disarming and relinquishing power, alongside Israel expanding its withdrawal from Gaza. Officials stress that progress toward the second phase will be quicker if the bodies are returned promptly.

Negotiations for phase two are expected to be highly challenging, particularly regarding the demilitarisation of Gaza. President Trump warned that if Hamas refuses to disarm, it could be forced to do so, potentially reigniting conflict.

By Aghakazim Guliyev