Hamas accuses “Israel” of obstructing search for soldiers’ bodies, calls for mediators to intervene

GAZA, Oct. 28 (YPA) – The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas on Tuesday accused the Israeli occupation of pursuing a systematic policy to obstruct efforts to search for the bodies of Israeli soldiers inside the Gaza Strip, and of refusing to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and relevant Palestinian authorities on this matter.

In a press statement, the movement confirmed that the occupation prevented the entry of joint teams from the ICRC and the Palestinian resistance into the search areas, and also blocked the entry of the heavy machinery and equipment necessary for these teams to carry out their work.

Hamas noted that this obstruction also extends to preventing the recovery of the bodies of Palestinians still buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

The movement also denied the claims in Hebrew media regarding the “Resistance’s slowdown in handling the soldiers’ bodies file,” describing them as “baseless allegations” aimed at misleading public opinion and creating pretexts for “new escalatory steps,” in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas called upon mediators and guarantor parties of the ceasefire agreement to assume their responsibilities and pressure the Israeli occupation to halt its deceptive practices and allow humanitarian agencies to carry out their missions, free from any political or military considerations.

YPA