Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza began on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants have returned the remains of 23 hostages held over the past two years. However, the process of recovering the remains of the five remaining hostages has been slow, officials said Friday.

Hamas says some bodies remain under rubble left by Israel’s two-year offensive, while Israel accuses the group of delaying the process and has threatened to resume military operations or withhold aid if all remains are not returned.

In the latest exchange, Hamas returned the remains of Lior Rudaeff, 61, who died fighting Hamas during the militants’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. In return, Israel has sent 285 Palestinian remains to Gaza, though it has not disclosed their identities. Gaza health officials have identified 84 of the returned bodies despite limited access to DNA kits.

The five hostages whose remains are still in Gaza include:

·         Meny Godard, 73 – A former professional soccer player and Israeli soldier, killed along with his wife Ayelet on Oct. 7, 2023. They are survived by four children and six grandchildren.

·         Hadar Goldin, 23 – An Israeli soldier killed on Aug. 1, 2014, shortly after a ceasefire ended that year’s war. He is survived by his parents, three siblings, and fiancée.

·         Ran Gvili, 24 – Served in an elite police unit; killed on Oct. 7, 2023, while assisting civilians. Survived by his parents and sister.

·         Dror Or, 52 – A dairy farm manager and cheesemaker at Kibbutz Be’eri, killed along with his wife. Two children were abducted but later released in November 2023.

·         Sudthisak Rinthalak – A Thai agricultural worker employed at Kibbutz Be’eri, abducted on Oct. 7, 2023. He was among the 31 Thai hostages, most of whom were later released.

The ongoing delays in returning the remaining remains underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the human toll of the conflict, which has left thousands dead and disrupted life across Gaza.