Israeli Drones Bomb Site of Search Operation for Dead Israeli Soldier in Gaza
Gaza (QNN)- Israeli drones dropped two bombs near the site of a search operation for the remains of Israeli soldier prisoners, according to Al Jazeera. The airstrike came shortly after the search had ended, raising fears that Israel targeted the area to obstruct the recovery process.
In the same vein, the Israeli army had announced that its forces in Gaza had received the body of an Israeli soldier prisoner through the Red Cross. The handover followed a statement from the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, confirming that its teams had found the body during search operations in Al-Tuffah.
Al-Qassam said in a brief message that the body was recovered on Monday and would be handed over at 9 p.m. Gaza time. According to reports, Red Cross personnel and Al-Qassam members escorted engineering vehicles and recovery crews to the site.
Israeli media outlets Channel 13 and Kan reported that the Red Cross had notified the Israeli army in advance of the expected handover. Officials in Tel Aviv confirmed preparations to receive the body.
A senior Palestinian resistance source told Al Jazeera that Hamas and other factions are working under difficult conditions to recover the remaining bodies of Israeli soldier prisoners. The source said the lack of equipment and machinery is the only obstacle delaying the process.
He added that if proper excavation tools are provided, resistance teams could recover a significant number of bodies soon.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Hamas to accelerate the recovery and handover of the bodies. Speaking aboard the presidential plane with President Donald Trump, Rubio claimed that Israel has not violated the ceasefire agreement.
The first stage of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal began on October 10. Since then, Hamas has released 20 Israeli soldier prisoners alive and handed over the bodies of 16 others. The movement says 12 more remain to be found.
Hamas says it is determined to complete the recovery process but needs more time due to the widespread destruction left by Israel’s year-long assault.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war of annihilation has killed 68,527 Palestinians and injured 170,395, mostly women and children.
The genocide has destroyed 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools. The United Nations estimates the cost of rebuilding the enclave at $70 billion.
