Israel Defense Forces says a body returned by Hamas is not one of its hostages

A body returned to Israel by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal is not one of its hostages, the Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday, potentially imperiling the fragile truce in Gaza.

Israel has already accused Hamas of not living up to the peace deal brokered by President Trump by releasing only four bodies on Monday and another four on Tuesday. Hamas is required to return the bodies of all 28 hostages within 72 hours.

Of the eight bodies released to Israel, seven have been confirmed to be hostages, while the remaining body is not one of the hostages, according to the IDF.

“Following the completion of the examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages,” the IDF said in a statement. “Hamas is required to make all necessary efforts to return the deceased hostages.”

Hamas has not responded to Israel’s claims that it hasn’t lived up to the terms of the ceasefire.

Mr. Trump on Tuesday accused Hamas of misrepresenting how many bodies of dead hostages it had because all 28 hostages’ remains have yet to be returned.

“I want them back. Also, they said they were going to disarm,” he said.

Hamas and the International Red Cross said recovering all of the deceased hostages is a challenge because of the destruction and debris in Gaza, a point that was acknowledged during ceasefire talks. Mr. Trump also said Hamas might have difficulty recovering the bodies because they are buried throughout Gaza.

The dispute over the bodies comes as both Mr. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Hamas must disarm. Mr. Netanyahu said Hamas could face renewed military action if it doesn’t disarm.

Mr. Trump was more direct.

“If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them,” Mr. Trump told reporters Tuesday. “It will happen quickly and perhaps violently, but they will disarm.”

Mr. Trump said his team asked Hamas if it would lay down its weapons and that it said, “Yes, sir, we’re going to disarm.”

If it comes down to force, “I don’t have to explain that to you, but if they don’t disarm, we will disarm them. They know I’m not playing games,” the president said.

Iran-backed Hamas has been hesitant to disarm after losing its leverage by surrendering its living hostages and viewing weapons as the only way to keep Israel from resuming the war in Gaza.