Rubio Commits to Recovering Bodies of Israeli Hostages in Gaza

Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed on Saturday his commitment to recovering the remains of all deceased Israeli hostages. This declaration came during his visit to Jerusalem, where he met with families of dual US-Israeli citizens Itay Chen, 19, and Omer Neutra, 21, who were killed by Hamas. Their bodies are believed to be among those still trapped in the rubble of the Gaza Strip, a situation exacerbated by ongoing hostilities.

Rubio stated on social media, “We will not rest until their — and all — remains are returned.” He emphasized the importance of remembering the lives lost during their captivity. Since the ceasefire agreement initiated by former President Donald Trump on September 29, 2023, the remains of 15 out of 28 deceased captives have been returned to Israel, alongside all 20 living hostages. The families of Chen and Neutra, both members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), are now seeking closure.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum echoed Rubio’s sentiments, urging continued efforts to recover the remaining bodies. “Thirteen hostages need to come home,” they posted on social media, calling for action until every last hostage is accounted for. Their plea reflects the emotional weight carried by families affected by this crisis.

On the same day, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, advocating for the return of the remaining captives’ bodies. This rally underscored the urgency and emotional stakes involved, highlighting the public’s desire for resolution and healing.

Rubio’s visit to Israel concluded a three-day trip, after which he traveled to Doha for discussions with Trump and Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister. The agenda includes the establishment of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza. While en route, Rubio mentioned that the United States is working on a United Nations resolution to facilitate this mission.

“Many of the countries that have expressed an interest in participating at some level — whether it be monetary or personnel or both — are going to need that because their domestic laws require it,” he explained to reporters. This diplomatic approach signifies a broader strategy to stabilize the region.

Israeli officials are cautiously optimistic that Hamas will return two more bodies on Sunday, following pressure from mediators. Reports suggest that Hamas has been selective in its release of bodies, despite having the capability to return all of them simultaneously. The return of these remains is a critical component of the fragile peace agreement currently in place between Israel and Hamas.

An Egyptian team has entered the Gaza Strip with engineering vehicles to assist in locating the deceased hostages. This operation was reportedly approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli Defense Forces officials communicated to Vice President JD Vance during a recent meeting that they believe Hamas holds the bodies of at least 10 of the remaining 13 deceased hostages.

In addition to the recovery efforts, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz outlined the government’s primary objective: the destruction of Hamas’ tunnel network across Gaza. He stated that these tunnels remain approximately 60% operational and are essential for Hamas’ military capabilities. Katz has directed the IDF to prioritize this mission, reinforcing Israel’s commitment to dismantling the infrastructure that supports terrorism.

As efforts continue on multiple fronts, the situation remains tense, with families and officials alike advocating for the swift return of hostages and their remains. The coming days will be critical in determining the future of peace negotiations and the fate of those still unaccounted for.