In a poignant development that underscores the ongoing tensions and heartbreak in the region, Israel received two coffins containing the remains of deceased hostages from Gaza late on October 18, 2025. The transfer, confirmed by both Israeli and international sources, marks a somber milestone in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and has reignited calls for accountability, justice, and the return of all hostages—living and deceased.
The identities of the two individuals were not immediately released, but by Sunday, Israeli officials confirmed that one of the deceased was Ronen Engel, a 54-year-old resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border. Engel had been abducted, along with his wife Karina and daughters Mika and Yuval, during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. His family was later freed in a hostage deal in November 2023, but Engel himself remained in captivity until his remains were returned this week. The identity of the second individual is still pending, with the Israeli Health Ministry noting that the identification process at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine could take up to 48 hours.
According to Associated Press and Haaretz, the transfer of the bodies took place under the shadow of mounting regional anxiety and fragile ceasefire arrangements. The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, a critical humanitarian and medical lifeline, remains closed as of October 19, 2025, further complicating the situation for thousands of Palestinians and families of hostages awaiting news of their loved ones. The Israeli government has tied the reopening of the crossing to Hamas' compliance with ceasefire terms and the return of all deceased hostages.
For families of the hostages, the wait continues to be excruciating. Many have been informed about the latest developments, but for most, the uncertainty lingers. The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed the caskets likely contain the remains of two deceased hostages, but emphasized that only after forensic identification would names be released. "We cannot stop until the very last hostage returns to us," said brothers Ariel and David Cunio, themselves recently freed from captivity in Gaza, in their first public statement following their release. "Thank you for not giving up, our new life starts now," they added, acknowledging that the struggle is far from over, especially for families whose loved ones are still missing or deceased.
The return of the hostages' bodies has also intensified the political debate within Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "instruct the IDF to renew all fighting in the Strip in full force." In his words, "The hallucinations that Hamas would change its ways, or even uphold the agreement it has signed, are expectedly turning out to be a danger to our security. This Nazi terrorist group must be razed to the ground as soon as possible." The opposition, represented by MK Avigdor Lieberman, echoed similar sentiments, stating, "In the Middle East, there is only one language – force. A real 'Iron wall' policy, with zero cracks, zero tolerance. Hamas is testing the boundaries because there are those who allow it."
The Israeli Air Force has, in fact, resumed attacks in Rafah following reports of gunmen attacking Israeli forces on the ground. These military actions come amid U.S. warnings issued to mediator countries, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, about "credible reports" indicating potential imminent ceasefire violations by Hamas, specifically targeting Palestinian civilians. The U.S. State Department stated that if Hamas proceeds with such attacks, "measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the cease-fire." Hamas, for its part, has denied any intention to violate the ceasefire, asserting that it is defending civilians from criminal gangs "established, armed and funded" by Israel. In a statement, Hamas said, "The facts on the ground show otherwise. It is the occupation's forces [Israeli forces] that have established, armed and funded criminal gangs that have committed murder, kidnapping, looting of aid trucks and stealing from Palestinian civilians."
The humanitarian situation remains dire. The closure of the Rafah crossing has heightened the pressure on both sides, with international agencies and the United Nations warning of the growing risks to civilians. The World Health Organization reported that the crossing would open on Monday for the transfer of sick and wounded, but only after further negotiations and assurances regarding the hostages' remains. Aid deliveries have been sporadic, with many trucks held up at the border and accusations from both sides about the theft and misallocation of humanitarian supplies.
Meanwhile, the grief and remembrance continue. Dozens gathered at Ben-Gurion International Airport to pay respects to Bipin Joshi, an agricultural student from Nepal who was among those kidnapped on October 7, 2023, and whose remains were returned from Gaza last week. Joshi had come to Israel to study and work just a month before the attack. "Everyone in Israel knows Bipin Joshi," said Gal Hirsch, Israel's Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons. "He came to study and was horrifically murdered in captivity. The people of Israel will remember him." Notably, no member of the Israeli government attended the ceremony, a detail that did not go unnoticed by those present.
The broader security context remains tense. The Israeli Defense Forces announced a military drill along the Lebanese border, set to run from October 19 to October 23, 2025, involving large military forces and expected explosions. In the occupied West Bank, violence continues, with reports of IDF soldiers using tear gas against Palestinians and settlers attacking olive harvesters with clubs near Ramallah. In Tubas, two Israeli soldiers were moderately wounded by an explosive device during a raid, and in southern Lebanon, the IDF claimed to have killed a Hezbollah operative.
Amid the ongoing crisis, some voices are calling for deeper reflection and accountability. At a rally following her son Matan's return from captivity, Einav Zangauker declared, "The government and its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, are responsible for the October 7th disaster." This sentiment taps into a broader debate about how the conflict, and particularly the events of October 7, should be remembered and labeled in the national consciousness—a debate that harks back to Israel's history of naming its wars and confronting the legacies of both victory and failure.
As the identification of the two returned hostages proceeds and the world waits for further developments, the pain of loss and the urgency of resolution remain palpable. For the families of Ronen Engel and the unnamed second hostage, for the community of Nir Oz, and for all those affected by the conflict, the return of these remains is a step—however painful—toward closure, even as the broader struggle for peace, security, and justice continues.
