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

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

ByKevin Shalvey, Jon Haworth, Emily Shapiro, Nadine El-Bawab, and David Brennan
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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 18, 2025, 6:49 PM EDT

State Department warns of 'imminent ceasefire violation' by Hamas against Palestinian civilians

The State Department said in a statement published Saturday that the United States has informed the guarantor nations of the Gaza peace agreement of "credible reports indicating a ceasefire violation" by Hamas against Gazans.

The agency warns that should Hamas proceed with the attack, measures will be taken.

"The United States and the other guarantors remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians, maintaining calm on the ground, and advancing peace and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the region as a whole," the State Department said.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan

Oct 18, 2025, 6:49 PM EDT

Hamas says Israel closing Rafah crossing is 'blatant violation' of ceasefire

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

Oct 18, 2025, 6:24 PM EDT

Red Cross transfers the remains of 2 more deceased to Israeli authorities

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

Oct 18, 2025, 12:34 PM EDT

Rafah border crossing to remain closed 'until further notice,' Israel says

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

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