Turkey has deployed specialist teams to help recover the remains of hostages buried under rubble in the Gaza Strip, officials said on Thursday.
The move came as US President Donald Trump warned Hamas after a series of killings in the enclave, threatening that American forces “will go and kill” members of the group if it “does not stop killing people in Gaza.”
Following the ceasefire, Hamas has expanded its presence across the heavily damaged territory and on Tuesday released a video showing the execution of men it claimed were Israeli collaborators.
Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the US-brokered ceasefire deal and to returning all remaining hostage remains. Israel, however, accuses Hamas of violating the truce that took effect on 10 October, which required the return of all hostages- both living and deceased- by Monday.
So far, Hamas has repatriated nine sets of remains out of 28, saying it needs “special equipment and significant effort” to recover others.
Turkey said around 80 rescue specialists are already on site, assisting in the search for buried bodies “including hostages.” These teams are experienced in working in disaster zones such as earthquake sites.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring home “all the hostages,” while families of those still missing urged Israel to halt any further steps in the ceasefire process until all hostages are returned.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that military operations could resume “in coordination with the US” if Hamas fails to comply.
Trump, when asked about the search, described it as “a macabre process,” adding: “They’re digging, they’re really digging- and they’re finding a lot of bodies.”
In exchange for returning hostage remains, Israel has repatriated 120 Palestinian bodies, including 30 handed over on Thursday, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Crossings into Gaza remain tightly controlled by Israel. The key Rafah crossing with Egypt is expected to reopen “possibly on Sunday,” Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said.
The UN has declared famine conditions in parts of Gaza, while returning residents describe entire neighbourhoods of Gaza City as “rubble and ash.”
Trump’s ceasefire plan aims to end the war permanently through phased withdrawals of Israeli troops, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian aid — followed by Hamas’ disarmament and amnesty or exile for its fighters.
According to official Israeli figures, Hamas’ 7 October 2023 assault killed 1,221 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s subsequent military operations have killed at least 67,967 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Hamas’ Health Ministry figures considered credible by the UN.
Also read: Trump warns Hamas to disarm amid crackdown on ‘collaborators’
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