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 14, 2025, 6:19 AM EDT

5 Palestinians shot and killed in Gaza City, IDF says

The Israel Defense Forces said its troops opened fire on Palestinians, killing five, after they allegedly violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

The IDF said that "several suspects were identified crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip, which constitutes a violation of the agreement."

The five approached forces in Gaza City’s eastern Shejaiya neighborhood, the IDF said.

"After multiple attempts to distance them, the suspects refused to comply, prompting troops to open fire to remove the threat," the IDF said on social media.

A Palestinian Civil Defence spokesperson denied the IDF’s claim, telling ABC News that the five people were killed within the safe-zone yellow area.

-ABC News’ Joe Simonetti

Oct 14, 2025, 5:49 AM EDT

Remains of 2 hostages identified, Israel says

Israeli officials on Tuesday confirmed the deaths of two hostages whose remains were returned to Israel on Monday.

The remains of Guy Iluz and Bipin Joshi were among the four deceased hostages who were transferred back to Israel on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces said on social media.

The names of the two others whose remains were transferred had not yet been "cleared for publication," the IDF said.

Bipin Joshi, a Nepalese man held hostage in Gaza, captured during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas is seen in this screen grab taken from a video uncovered by Israel's army, and obtained by Reuters on Oct. 8, 2025.
The Hostages Families Forum via Reuters

Joshi, a Nepalese agriculture student who was in Israel to study, was one of two hostages previously thought to be alive following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, according to Israeli officials.

Joshi's name had not been included in the list of 20 living hostages published by Hamas. He was 23 when he was abducted, the IDF said.

"It is assessed that he was murdered in captivity during the first months of the war," the IDF said on Tuesday.

Iluz was "abducted alive and injured by Hamas after escaping the Nova music festival," the IDF said.

"Guy died from his wounds after not receiving proper medical treatment while held captive. He was 26 years old at his death," the IDF said on Tuesday.

Oct 13, 2025, 7:53 PM EDT

Biden commends Trump for getting ceasefire deal 'over the finish line'

Former President Joe Biden commended President Donald Trump and his administration's work getting the ceasefire agreement "over the finish line."

"The road to this deal was not easy," Biden said on social media. "My Administration worked relentlessly to bring hostages home, get relief to Palestinian civilians, and end the war. I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line."

Biden also expressed his hope that the Middle East is on a path to enduring peace and "a future for Israelis and Palestinians alike with equal measures of peace, dignity, and safety."

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

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

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