Hamas released the body of a Gazan resident who assisted Israeli forces in locating underground terror tunnels during the war in place of a fallen hostage while delivering four bodies to Israel on Tuesday.
Prior to this information being revealed, Israeli sources had estimated that this was a mistake, as the body belonged to a Gazan man in an IDF uniform, who was suspected to be a fighter killed in the war.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel will utilize every possible means to ensure the return of all hostages' remains," an Israeli official stated.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu announced to the foreign press on Wednesday that the transfer of a Gazan body instead of one of the fallen hostages constitutes a violation of US President Donald Trump's peace plan.
Despite Hamas's violations of the agreement, he added that the humanitarian aid Israel committed to delivering to Gaza has never been interrupted.
Netanyahu calls on Hamas to honor ceasefire agreement
"Hamas released a body that is not that of a fallen soldier. We are clear when we say this: Hamas must return all the fallen hostages; we will not compromise and will spare no effort until all the fallen are returned," the statement read.
"Hamas committed to this before President Trump, and all the fallen must come home. Humanitarian aid has never been interrupted. For questions, please contact the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and the IDF."
"The families of the fallen said that their return would save the lives of all the family members," they added. "This would allow the bodies to be brought to an Israeli grave, and thus they could return to their lives."
The remains of deceased hostages Uriel Baruch, Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi were identified at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute early on Wednesday morning.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.