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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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President Donald Trump told CNN he may authorize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold its ceasefire obligations.
Trump said Israeli forces could return to the streets “as soon as I say the word,” adding that he had previously “held them back” and confronted Netanyahu over the issue. His remarks follow Israel’s accusations that Hamas is not complying with the agreement to release all hostages, living and deceased.
The Red Cross confirmed receipt of two more bodies from the Palestinian militant group on Wednesday, according to the Israeli military. Hamas’ armed wing stated it has handed over all accessible remains and requires specialized equipment to locate the rest. CNN and Reuters were among the outlets reporting the developments.
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Why It Matters
Trump’s comments signal potential volatility in the fragile ceasefire agreement that ended warfare in Gaza. With Hamas accused of delaying the return of hostage remains and conducting public executions, the truce faces mounting pressure. Any shift in U.S. posture could reignite conflict and derail ongoing humanitarian efforts and diplomatic negotiations.
The ceasefire deal, brokered with international support, hinges on Hamas disarming and ceding control—conditions it has yet to meet.
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How Many Israeli Hostages Were Released Today?
Two deceased Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza on Wednesday and have now been received by the Israeli military, according to Netanyahu.
The remains are being transferred to a specialist center in Israel for formal identification and examination. Hamas has not disclosed the names of the individuals, and it remains unclear when or how they died.
“All the families of the hostages have been updated on the matter, and in this difficult hour, our hearts are with them,” Netanyahu said. He reaffirmed that efforts to recover all hostages are ongoing and “will not stop until the last hostage is returned.”
Trump Hamas Deal: What Was Agreed Upon?
The ceasefire agreement was based on a proposal by Trump. The one-page document, signed by Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Hamas representatives, outlined a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the resumption of humanitarian aid.
Under the deal, Israel agreed to halt all military operations—including airstrikes and surveillance—within 24 hours of government approval. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from designated areas in Gaza, as mapped in an annex to the agreement, and would not return unless Hamas violated the terms.
In return, Hamas committed to releasing all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, within 72 hours of the IDF’s withdrawal. This included hostages held by other Palestinian factions.
Hamas also agreed to share information on any unrecovered remains through a mechanism coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and international mediators.
Israel, for its part, pledged to release 250 Palestinian security prisoners and over 1,700 Gazans detained during the war who were not involved in the October 7 attacks. It also began returning the bodies of deceased Palestinians, with the first group of 45 handed over on October 14.
The agreement prohibits public ceremonies or media coverage of the exchanges and establishes a multinational task force, including representatives from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and others, to oversee implementation and mediate disputes.
How Many Israeli Hostages Have Died?
At least 20 Israeli hostages are confirmed to have died in captivity, according to the IDF and independent tallies. Hamas has returned several bodies, though some remain unrecovered due to destruction in Gaza.
An international task force is expected to assist in locating the remaining deceased hostages.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump told CNN: "What's going on with Hamas—that'll be straightened out quickly."
He also said that he would "think about" what would happen if Hamas refused to disarm. "Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word. If Israel could go in and knock the crap out of them, they'd do that."
A statement from Hamas regarding the recovery of bodies of hostages: "The resistance has complied with the agreement and handed over all of its living prisoners and any bodies it could reach. The remaining bodies require significant efforts and specialized equipment to search for and retrieve, and we are making a great effort to close this file."
Update 10/15/25, 5:19 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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