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

Hamas reacted to Israeli government closing the Rafah crossing, calling it a "blatant violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement."

"The continued closure of the Rafah Crossing — preventing the exit of the wounded and sick, restricting the movement of citizens in both directions, blocking the entry of the specialized equipment needed for search operations for those missing under the rubble, and barring the entry of teams and tools required to examine and identify bodies — will delay the recovery and handover of the bodies," Hamas said in a statement.

Hamas called on mediators to help reopen the crossing.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Saturday night it facilitated the transfer of two remains of those deceased, "acting as a neutral intermediary between the parties, at their request and with their agreement."

Israeli forensic authorities are responsible for taking all possible measures to identify the remains of the deceased, according to the ICRC.

-ABC News' Cindy Smith

Despite earlier indications that the Rafah border crossing may open soon, the Israeli prime minister's office said it "will not be reopened until further notice."

The opening of the border crossing, between Egypt and Gaza, will be dependent on "how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the deceased abductees," the prime minister's office said in a statement Saturday.

-ABC News' Dana Savir

The body transferred to Israel on Friday has been identified as hostage Eliyahu Margalit, according to the IDF.

"Following the completion of the identification process by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives informed the family of Eliyahu Margalit that he had been returned for burial," the IDF said in a statement.

"He leaves behind a wife, three children, and grandchildren. His daughter, Nili Margalit, was also abducted and returned on the hostage release agreement in November 2023," the IDF continued. "The IDF expresses deep condolences to the family, continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages, and is prepared for the continued implementation of the agreement."