Hamas unable to locate all slain hostages in Gaza; Netanyahu reportedly aware

Hamas may be unable to locate all of the hostages who were killed during the Gaza conflict, according to a report by CNN citing three senior Israeli officials.

The officials said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been aware of this situation for several months, acknowledging that Hamas does not have full control over all hostages or their remains.

“It’s been the case from the outset that they [Hamas] have not had control over all of the hostages,” said Barbara Leaf, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East under President Joe Biden. “It’s far more likely they can recover all of the living hostages,” she told the outlet.

According to the report, Israeli intelligence assessments suggest that between seven and fifteen bodies of slain hostages may not be recovered, though the exact number remains uncertain. One official estimated 7–9 bodies unaccounted for, while another put the figure between 10–15.

The intelligence is reportedly drawn from both Israeli sources and information emerging from ongoing negotiations in Egypt, where talks are centered on a potential ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange.

Sources close to the negotiations say there is no definitive information on the whereabouts of several of the victims’ bodies, raising challenges for efforts to bring closure to affected families.

Officials also expressed differing views on how Netanyahu might respond if some slain hostages cannot be returned.

One suggested the issue could become a political sticking point that might threaten progress in the current talks.