Every night the parents of Omer Neutra, whose remains are thought to be held by Hamas, wait for news of his return.

Israeli forensics examiners have identified the remains of a deceased Israeli hostage handed over on Monday as those of Sergeant Major Tal Haimi, the prime minister’s office said.

Haimi was a veteran of the IDF Paratroopers Brigade and served as the commander of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak's emergency response squad. He was murdered by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 massacre.

Since the Gaza peace plan took effect early this week, Hamas has handed over 20 living hostages and the confirmed remains of 12 hostages.

Hamas still has not returned remains of Itay Chen, Omer Neutra and 17 others, threatening the fragile ceasefire in Israel.

David and his friend hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal were separated in the tunnels and denied food so they would appear skeletal for filmed “proof-of-life” clips, with food restored only after filming. Viewers around the world were shaken by a Hamas video showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David emaciated and digging what he said was his own grave almost three months ago.

After Israel-Hamas clashes test Trump's Gaza peace deal, his top negotiators return to the region to shore up the ceasefire.

US Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that he had "great optimism" the Gaza truce would hold, during a visit to Israel aimed at shoring up the ceasefire, with Washington