Trump hints at 'action' if Hamas doesn't return hostage bodies

The bodies of 13 deceased hostages are believed to still be in Gaza.

Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 10:52 AM EDT

U.S. officials -- including Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner -- traveled to Israel this week for high-level meetings, discussing the next steps in the delicate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire deal by withholding the bodies of the remaining 13 deceased hostages thought to have died during or after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas has said the return of the remaining bodies "may take some time" due to the destruction.

Oct 13, 2025, 5:05 PM EDT

4 coffins of deceased hostages taken to forensic center

Four coffins of deceased hostages have been taken to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Israel, according to the Israeli Police.

"Forensic Identification officers and volunteers from the Police Dental Identification Unit are prepared to carry out the identification alongside medical and forensic authorities," the Israeli Police spokesperson’s unit said in a statement.

A convoy transports the bodies of deceased hostages into southern Israel following the release by Hamas, Oct. 13, 2025.
Israel Police via AP

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Oct 13, 2025, 1:48 PM EDT

Egypt awards Trump highest state honor for 'contributions to promoting peace'

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has awarded the Nile Collar -- Egypt's highest state honor -- to President Donald Trump for “his significant contributions to promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and most recently, his pivotal role in ending the war in Gaza,” El-Sisi’s office said in a statement.

At Monday's peace summit, El-Sisi said the award is presented “in recognition of President Trump’s efforts” and is typically reserved for heads of state who provide “distinguished services to humanity.”

Oct 13, 2025, 1:36 PM EDT

Released hostage reunites with daughter after over 2 years

Omri Miran, one of the final 20 living hostages released from Gaza on Monday, was seen playing with one of his young daughters after more than two years apart.

Miran’s older daughter, Roni, is now 4 years old, while his younger daughter, Alma, is 2.

Released Israeli hostage, Omri Miran plays with his daughter, after being released as part of a prisoner-hostage swap and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel October 13, 2025.
Elad Malka/GPO via Reuters

Oct 13, 2025, 1:25 PM EDT

Remains of 4 deceased hostages in IDF custody, en route to Israel

Four coffins containing the remains of deceased hostages are now in the custody of the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency forces and are on their way to Israel, the IDF said.

“Before crossing into Israeli territory, a military protocol will be held in the Gaza Strip in their memory,” the IDF said. “During the protocol, IDF soldiers will drape the hostages’ coffins with Israeli flags, salute them, and recite a chapter from the Book of Psalms.”

Once in Israel, the coffins will be brought to the National Center of Forensic Medicine for identifications, the IDF said.

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