Hamas ‘fakes hostage remains discovery and sends back body parts of captive who was recovered two years ago’

Israel claimed that the partial remains of a number of hostages returned by Hamas on Monday night did not match any of the 13 deceased hostages whose bodies were still in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the body parts belonged to a deceased prisoner rescued by the army about two years ago.

In the statement made by Netanyahu’s office, it was said: “After the identification procedures were completed this morning, it was determined that the remains of the hostage Ofir Tzarfati, who was brought from the Gaza Strip in a military operation approximately two years ago, were returned last night.”

Netanyahu’s office said this amounted to a clear violation of the agreement by Hamas and that Netanyahu would meet with the heads of defense institutions to discuss steps Israel would take in response to the violations.

A Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the body was found in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood on Monday and was handed over at 9pm, about two hours before the deadline set by US President Donald Trump for the terrorist organisation.

However, despite Hamas’ claims, IDF soldiers serving in the area say they witnessed terrorists trying to seize the body.

According to the soldiers who spoke to Arutz Sheva, the terrorists placed the body in a hole they dug and called the Red Cross as if they had just found the body.

Tzarfati was kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023, before he was killed.

His body was found at the end of November 2023 and brought to Israel for burial.

In March 2024, Tzarfati’s additional remains were returned for burial in Israel. Later in August of the same year, Hamas released a photo of his body.

“We slept last night waiting and hoping that another family would complete the painful two-year cycle and bring their loved one home for the funeral,” Tzarfati’s family said.

‘But while we were trying to heal, deception was inflicted on our family once again.

‘This morning we were shown video footage of our beloved son’s body being removed, buried and handed over to the Red Cross; This was a disgusting manipulation designed to sabotage the deal and abandon the effort to bring all the hostages home.’

The family added: ‘This is the third time we have had to exhume Ofir and rebury our son.

‘The circle was said to ‘close’ in December 2023, but it never actually closes.

‘Since then we have lived with a wound that constantly reopens between memory and longing, mourning and duty.’

‘Our Ofir went to Nova to celebrate his birthday and never came back.

‘We ask all the people of Israel not to forget the martyrs, the hostages, and to continue supporting their families until and after their return; Only then will we have a future. Only then can we continue to live in our country.’

It came as an Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages held in Gaza called on authorities on Tuesday to ‘act decisively’ against Hamas, accusing the group of violating a ceasefire by returning only part of a previously rescued captive.

“In light of Hamas’ serious violations of the agreement last night… the Israeli government cannot and should not ignore this and must act decisively against these violations,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. The statement was included.

This is breaking news. More to follow.