The US and other mediators are pressing Israel to grant safe passage to about 150 Hamas militants trapped underground in an Israeli-controlled part of Gaza, in exchange for them giving up their weapons.

Itay Chen's remains were returned to Israel via the Red Cross on Tuesday, meaning seven dead hostages now remain in Gaza.

Thirteen families whose loved ones were taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack are still waiting for Hamas to return their remains from Gaza.

Flowers and a sign written in Hebrew reads "Sorry" are placed on a bench outside Abu Kabir, the forensic institute where the identification process is being carried out on the four bodies that were held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel ...

The Israeli prime minister's comments come after Hamas agreed to release hostages under a US-proposed peace plan.