Hamas transfers from Gaza not related to hostages, PMO confirms

The National Center for Forensic Medicine has verified that the items brought from Gaza yesterday for analysis are not connected to Israeli hostages.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Wednesday morning that the materials handed over by Hamas on Tuesday are unrelated to the remaining deceased hostages held in Gaza. "Following the completion of the identification procedures at the National Center for Forensic Medicine, it was determined that the items transported from the Gaza Strip are not associated with any of the deceased captives," the PMO stated.

The office also confirmed that the families of the remaining hostages have been notified, and Israel will continue efforts to recover the final captives still in Gaza. These individuals include Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak and Staff-Sergeant Major Ran Gvili.

Earlier, activists gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on November 29, 2025, displaying signs demanding the return of the final two hostages' remains, including St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili. (Credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

Initial Suspicions Confirmed

The PMO's announcement confirms prior Israeli suspicions that the transferred items were not linked to the remaining hostages. On Tuesday, after the materials were brought into Israeli territory, an Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post that it was "highly likely" they did not belong to a deceased captive.

Previously, the International Committee of the Red Cross handed over a coffin in Gaza thought to possibly contain the remains of a deceased hostage. The coffin was then sent to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir for proper identification.

Report contributions: Amichai Stein and Jerusalem Post Staff.

Author: Benjamin Carter