Tag Archives: Israel Hamas Ceasefire

Hamas continues to return hostage remains as Gaza ceasefire holds

| November 6, 2025

Hamas continued to hand over the remains of Israeli hostages between November 1 and November 5 as part of the ceasefire agreement that has largely held for almost a month. The remains of the last two American hostages held captive in Gaza were returned and identified. As of November 5, seven deceased hostages remained in the territory. The transfers took place as negotiations are reportedly underway regarding Hamas members who are trapped in tunnels in Rafah.

Israeli soldier killed in Gaza attack, IDF responds with airstrikes

| October 29, 2025

An Israeli soldier was killed in Gaza in an attack on October 28, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes across the territory in response. “The targets struck included key terrorists, observation posts, weapons production warehouses, launch posts, underground tunnels, and mortar shell firing posts,” the IDF said. In addition, Israel released drone footage that appeared to show Hamas staging the discovery of the remains of hostage Ofir Tzarfati. Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement through the slow return of the remains of hostages and continued attacks.

2 Israeli soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Gaza, most serious attack since ceasefire

| October 20, 2025

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and several wounded in a terrorist attack in southern Gaza’s Rafah neighborhood on October 19, according to the Israeli military. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) executed a wave of airstrikes in Gaza. One series of strikes used 120 munitions to target a Hamas tunnel that was several miles long. The IDF also continued demarcating the Yellow Line that now marks the extent of its control in the territory.

Hamas begins transfer of deceased hostages, Israel threatens to limit aid due to slow pace

| October 15, 2025

Hamas began transferring the bodies of deceased hostages to Israel on October 13. By October 15, it had transferred eight corpses, and Israel had identified seven of them as hostages. Israel said it would not reopen the Rafah crossing to Gaza and would consider limiting aid if all the 28 deceased hostages were not returned in line with a deal agreed to in Egypt on October 8. The IDF warned Gazans not to approach Israeli forces, which continue to control 50 percent of the territory and are deployed in positions dubbed “the Yellow Line.”

Hamas frees 20 hostages in wake of US-backed deal

| October 13, 2025

Hamas freed the last 20 living Israeli hostages on October 13, handing them over to the Red Cross, which transported them to Israeli officials. Hamas is also supposed to hand over the bodies of 28 hostages held since its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the deal agreed to in Egypt on October 8 constitutes a victory for Israel. The IDF completed a withdrawal from several areas of Gaza as part of the agreement.

Profiles of notable terrorists Israel will release in ceasefire deal with Hamas

| October 10, 2025

As a part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Israel is set to release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Among the prisoners to be released are members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other armed organizations. FDD’s Long War Journal has profiled 10 of these individuals who were imprisoned for high-profile attacks and crimes.

Israel, Hamas agree to Gaza deal in Egypt

| October 9, 2025

Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a Gaza peace deal overnight between October 8 and 9. This initial phase is supposed to see the release of 48 Israeli hostages, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive, and a withdrawal by the IDF from some areas of Gaza. Israel’s cabinet convened to vote on the deal on October 9, with hostages set to return by October 14. The agreement followed talks in Egypt mediated by delegations from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with US, Hamas, and Israeli delegations present. The Israeli military in Gaza prepared to redeploy to new lines as talks progress to the next phase.