Israel has reduced humanitarian aid to Gaza after Hamas returned a body that was not an Israeli hostage.
The incident has sparked new outrage and further strained the fragile Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military confirmed Tuesday that one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas did not belong to a hostage.
Forensic tests revealed the remains were those of a Palestinian from Gaza, not an Israeli captive.
“Hamas is required to make every effort to return all deceased hostages,” the Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement.
The other three bodies were identified as Israeli citizens Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi, all kidnapped during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
Their families expressed deep sorrow after waiting nearly two years for closure.
Hamas has returned eight of 28 deceased hostages so far, according to Israeli officials.
The slow process has angered both the government and the victims’ families.
Israeli authorities believe Hamas may not be able to locate all the remains, as many areas in Gaza remain buried under rubble from two years of bombardment.
To pressure Hamas, Israel has decided to cut aid deliveries to Gaza.
The United Nations said Israel informed them that only 300 trucks would enter the enclave — half the agreed number.
Fuel and gas shipments will also be withheld, except for urgent humanitarian needs.
“We continue to urge all parties to honor the ceasefire agreements,” said Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office in Gaza.
The discovery of the wrong body revived painful memories of a similar incident in early 2025.
During that exchange, Hamas mistakenly sent the remains of a Palestinian woman instead of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas.
President Donald Trump said “phase two” of the Gaza ceasefire deal had begun, though key issues remain unresolved.
Negotiations are ongoing in Egypt, with U.S. and regional mediators pushing Hamas to disarm.
Israel has warned it may redeploy forces inside Gaza if Hamas continues to delay the return of dead hostages.
Officials also said the Rafah crossing would remain closed until more bodies are recovered.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said the recovery process could take weeks.
“Many hostages remain buried under collapsed buildings,” the agency stated, calling the situation “a humanitarian and moral emergency.”
Meanwhile, protesters in Tel Aviv gathered at Hostage Square on Tuesday, demanding the government bring home all remaining hostages.
“The waiting is unbearable,” said one demonstrator. “We need every soul returned dead or alive.”