Egyptian forensic teams and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) personnel entered Gaza on Sunday with Israeli authorization to begin recovering the remains of hostages killed during the conflict, marking a pivotal step in the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.

The mission, which has already resulted in the return of 15 bodies, is focused on areas beyond the so-called “yellow line”—the boundary of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)-controlled zones in southern Gaza. Equipped with excavators and trucks, the teams are concentrating on the heavily damaged cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, where many hostages are believed to be buried beneath collapsed buildings.

Israeli officials confirmed the operation, noting that Hamas is aware of the locations of several deceased hostages but has struggled to retrieve them due to ongoing instability. Hamas stated it is cooperating with Egyptian authorities and allowing its personnel to assist the ICRC-led recovery efforts within IDF-held areas.

The recovery operation follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault that killed 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israel’s military response has since claimed 68,519 Palestinian lives. Of the 97 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, 28 are confirmed dead, with 13 bodies yet to be recovered.

President Donald Trump, addressing the issue on Truth Social, warned that delays in returning remains could prompt intervention from ceasefire guarantors such as Qatar and Egypt. “Some bodies are hard to reach... but others they can return now,” he wrote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel retains full control over its security decisions, telling his cabinet, “We control our security and decide on unacceptable foreign forces.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged international interest in forming a post-ceasefire security force but said Israel’s preferences would guide the process, amid reports that Turkey’s involvement has been vetoed.

The ICRC, which has facilitated previous hostage returns, reiterated its neutral role in the recovery mission, clarifying that it is not acting as a direct intermediary between Hamas and the IDF.

Families of the unreturned hostages, including that of Omer Neutra, welcomed the expanded recovery effort but urged urgency. The Hostages Forum called the move “long overdue.” With the United Nations estimating that 84% of Gaza lies in ruins, the Egyptian teams—drawing on experience from operations in the Sinai—are expected to play a critical role in navigating the rubble.

As the first phase of the ceasefire agreement nears completion, attention now turns to the next stage: disarming Hamas and deploying an international security presence, all while maintaining a fragile calm on the ground.