As the dispute over the return of bodies continues, two Israeli officials familiar with the matter say Israel believes it knows the whereabouts of some of the dead hostages that Hamas claims are missing.
Hamas has returned the bodies of nine of the 28 hostages killed so far.
One of the sources said Israel believes Hamas has access to at least six organizations, and possibly more. The official said Israel was aware that five of the bodies were “missing,” but disputes with Hamas continued over the bodies of several other deceased hostages.
But Hamas denies knowing the location of the dead hostages or having access to more.
Hamas’ military wing said on Wednesday that recovering the bodies of the remaining hostages in Gaza would require “huge efforts and special equipment.” “We have complied with the terms of our agreement and handed over all living prisoners and accessible corpses in our possession,” Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement.
Israel is trying to pressure Hamas to release more bodies by limiting aid that was supposed to come under the ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials said only 300 of the 600 trucks entered on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Israel is considering further measures, including tightening aid restrictions and reoccupying the Netzarim corridor that divides Gaza into north and south.
Israel and Hamas had agreed on a mechanism to search for missing bodies, but the mechanism is not yet operational.
