The Red Cross has received the remains of three hostages from Gaza, which will be handed to Israel's military. This matters as it highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the complexities of the hostage situation amid the conflict.

On November 2, 2025, the Red Cross received the remains of three hostages from Gaza, which are set to be handed over to Israel's military. This transfer is part of a larger context where, since the ceasefire began on October 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 17 hostages, leaving 11 still in Gaza. The identification of bodies has been hampered by the lack of DNA kits, with only 75 out of 225 Palestinian bodies returned being identified. The situation is further complicated by the devastation in Gaza and the ongoing military operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that pockets of Hamas remain in Gaza, and the conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The exchange of remains is a critical aspect of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan, which also addresses the need for international stabilization efforts in the region.