Israel is preparing for the possibility that Hamas will release more remains of hostages this evening, The Jerusalem Post learned Friday morning.
Hamas could return eight more hostages to Israel; however, there are another five whose whereabouts are unknown, a senior Israeli official told Ynet.
According to the official, Hamas is “playing games and stalling for time to extend the ceasefire, even without the second stage, which would require them to disarm,” the report quoted him as saying.
One security source was quoted by KAN on Friday evening as saying that no indication has been received from the Red Cross regarding an upcoming operation to return deceased hostages in the coming hours." KAN also quoted an Israeli source saying that the return of hostage bodies may be postponed until Saturday.
On Thursday, Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and senior Intelligence Directorate officials told US Vice President JD Vance in a meeting at the Kirya military headquarters that Hamas has the ability to return at least 10 hostage remains of the 13 still held in captivity without external search assistance, KAN also reported.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took Vance's place after he left Israel on Thursday. The US has been exerting significant pressure on Israel to maintain a ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas using ceasefire to rebuild
IDF intelligence has recognized that Hamas is using the ceasefire to rebuild and regain control of Gaza, the Kan report said.
The remains of hostages were last returned on Tuesday night. The two that were returned were identified as Arie Zalmanovicz and Chief Sgt. First Class (res.) Tamir Adar.