Overview
- Haaretz reported Monday that Israeli security agencies are holding around 1,700 Palestinian bodies and that the number was raised during recent security discussions.
- Shin Bet chief David Zini has argued for keeping the remains as leverage in any future hostage-taking, and the Israel Defense Forces is reported to back that position.
- The reporting says most of the bodies are linked to Gaza fighters from the October 7, 2023 attacks or later fighting while some are reported to be civilians not shown to have taken part in hostilities.
- Legal experts cited by the coverage say Israeli law would normally require the Security Cabinet to adopt an explicit policy before the state can detain remains of people not proven to have fought, creating a possible legal hurdle.
- Holding the bodies despite there being no current Israeli hostages could deepen humanitarian grievances in Gaza, strengthen Palestinian campaigns for return of remains, and complicate future negotiations over prisoners and missing persons.