The IDF and the Shin Bet security agency announced that Red Cross teams had handed over to Israeli forces “two coffins of fallen hostages” it had received earlier in the evening from Hamas. The terror group had earlier said it would hand over the bodies of two hostages to Israel.
The IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement that “Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and make every necessary effort to return the bodies of the fallen hostages.” The transfer of remains to Red Cross teams began later in the day, according to officials.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the situation on his social media platform, saying that “many of our allies in the Middle East have told me they would welcome the opportunity to enter Gaza with significant military force if Hamas continues to violate its understandings with Washington.”
“I told those countries, as well as Israel, that it’s not yet time, because there is still hope Hamas will do the right thing,” Trump added. “If not, Hamas’s end will be fast, furious, and brutal.”
The president also thanked “all the nations that have offered assistance,” singling out Indonesia and its leader “for their support of both the Middle East and the United States.”
Earlier, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan was “going better than expected,” calling Israel “remarkably helpful” in carrying out the agreement.
“The Israeli government has been remarkably helpful in implementing the Gaza plan,” Vance said. “The ceasefire is going better than I expected. If Hamas does not cooperate, it will be obliterated.”
Vance said Washington remained committed to stabilizing Gaza while ensuring that “there would be no American boots on the ground in Gaza.”
He also sought to calm rising frustration in Israel over the slow return of the bodies of hostages. “We understand the pain and urgency felt by the families,” Vance said. “But this process requires coordination and restraint to ensure all remains are recovered safely and respectfully. Our teams are making progress every day, and the mission will not be complete until every hostage — living or deceased — is brought home.”
Vance added that “it is not known where the bodies of some deceased hostages are in Gaza, but international search teams will not stop until all are accounted for.” He also reaffirmed the administration’s broader regional stance, saying “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon” and that “President Trump wants to have good relations with the Iranians.”
Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said the group was “serious about retrieving the bodies of all the hostages,” but claimed “significant challenges” were hindering the process. He insisted that Hamas remained committed to the ceasefire and the terms of the Gaza agreement.
On Monday night, the body of fallen hostage Tal Haimi, a member of the rapid response team at Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, was returned to Israel. He is survived by his wife, Ella, and their four children, including Lotan, who was born after the October 7 attacks.
“Seven hundred forty-six days ago, on the morning of Simchat Torah, Tal left home with his vest, weapon and helmet,” Ella said Tuesday at the site where he fought. “Today we say goodbye to him — two years and two weeks after he fell defending his kibbutz, Nir Yitzhak.”