Rubio Commits to Recover Bodies of Dead Hostages in Israel

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged on Saturday to ensure the return of all deceased Israeli hostages. His comments came as an Egyptian team entered the Gaza Strip to assist in recovering the remains of the dead. Rubio made the announcement during his visit to Jerusalem, where he met with the families of Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, both of whom were killed by Hamas and whose bodies are believed to be located within the Palestinian enclave.

In a post on X, Rubio asserted, “We will not rest until their — and all — remains are returned.” He emphasized the importance of remembering the lives of those who perished while in captivity. Since the ceasefire deal brokered by former President Donald Trump on September 29, 2023, the remains of 15 out of 28 deceased captives have been returned to Israel, in addition to the release of all 20 living hostages.

Chen and Neutra, who were both serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), were killed on October 7, 2023. Their bodies were taken hostage by Hamas, which has been gradually returning the remains of victims as it navigates the aftermath of the ongoing conflict. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed support for Rubio’s commitment on X, stating, “Thirteen families need closure. Please don’t stop — until the last hostage is released.”

A substantial turnout at a rally in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square underscored public sentiment, with attendees demanding the return of the remaining captives’ bodies. Rubio’s visit concluded a three-day trip to Israel before he traveled to Doha, where he is scheduled to meet with Trump and Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister to discuss an international peacekeeping force for Gaza.

During his flight, Rubio mentioned that the United States is working on a United Nations resolution or international agreement to facilitate the peacekeeping mission. He noted the need for participating countries to address their domestic laws, which may require formal agreements to contribute financially or with personnel.

Israeli officials are hopeful that Hamas will return two additional bodies on Sunday, as reported by Channel 12. They have accused Hamas of delaying the release of all deceased hostages despite having the capability to do so. The return of these remains is viewed as a critical condition for maintaining the fragile peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.

An Egyptian team entered Gaza on Saturday with engineering vehicles aimed at locating the bodies of the deceased hostages. This initiative was reportedly approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli Defense Forces officials conveyed to Vice President JD Vance that they believe at least 10 of the 13 remaining deceased hostages could be returned by Hamas.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the primary objective of the Israeli government is to dismantle Hamas’ tunnel network across Gaza, which he claims remains 60% operational. Katz emphasized the importance of demilitarizing Gaza by targeting these tunnels, describing this goal as essential for achieving lasting victory in the region.

As the situation develops, the focus remains on the safe recovery of hostages and the ongoing negotiations aimed at restoring peace in the region.