Hamas Plans Return of 16th Deceased Hostage Amid Gaza Truce Calls

Hamas said it will hand over the body of another deceased Israeli hostage Monday at 9 p.m. Gaza time (3 p.m. ET) in a transfer to the Red Cross. CNN and AFP report the handover would be the 16th body returned under the ceasefire, bringing the total to 16 of the 28 deceased hostages in the deal, with roughly a dozen more still reported inside Gaza (some outlets say 12 remain, one reports 13). Families of missing Israelis have urged suspending the Gaza truce until all captives' bodies are returned. An Egyptian technical team with heavy machinery has entered Gaza to assist the Red Cross in searching for and recovering remains amid extensive rubble. Media say the recoveries have complicated diplomatic efforts and have been cited as an obstacle to President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which observers note is approaching a 48-hour deadline.