Israel said it was weighing its next “steps” against Hamas in Gaza over what it alleges is a violation of the ceasefire, after the militant group handed over the remains of a hostage that authorities concluded had already been returned to the country.
Hamas said it had recovered and released the remains of an Israeli hostage on Monday night, but a forensic investigation by Israeli authorities later said they belonged to Ofir Tzarfati, whose body was officially recovered by the Israeli military in November 2023 and brought to burial.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the development as a “clear violation” by Hamas of the US-brokered truce concluded earlier this month, and said the premier would convene his security chiefs on Tuesday to “discuss Israel’s steps”.