As of Wednesday, two American citizens remained among the deceased individuals held captive by Hamas, with the Palestinian militant group having failed to fulfill the conditions of President Trump’s peace initiative.
A 19-year-old American-Israeli dual national, initially thought to have been abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during his service near the Gaza border, was subsequently confirmed deceased by the IDF. His remains are still being held by Hamas within Gaza.
Another American-Israeli from New York, 21, also perished in combat on the same date, and his body continues to be held captive.
“This emotional journey, spanning two years, has now reached one of its most intense points,” stated Ronen Neutra, Omer Neutra’s father, during an interview with Digital.
Neutra had an hour-long meeting with Trump on Monday, coinciding with the president’s visit to.
“We expressed our apprehension that no deceased captive should be left in Gaza. We are aware that we are negotiating with a terrorist organization that capitalizes on every ambiguity in any agreement. Although the living hostages were returned as stipulated, we are already observing breaches,” Neutra remarked. “The president guaranteed he would make every effort to bring our children back.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Neutra and his wife did not go to bed until 3 a.m., having discovered that their son was once again not among the four bodies released by Hamas, and furthermore, that one of the released individuals was not even a hostage.
“I anticipate that the United States will apply significant pressure on the intermediaries,” Neutra informed Digital. “We have received information that Washington has engaged directly with Hamas in Egypt, and we insist on the complete execution of the accord — or facing severe repercussions: a suspension of humanitarian assistance, and a halt to the passage of goods and individuals via the Rafah Crossing.
“Our hope is for President Trump to guarantee the return of the two American citizens still in Hamas’s custody — our son Omer and Itay Chen — for burial,” he added. “After two years of advocating for this, we are due closure — and our son merits a dignified burial in the country he cherished and protected.”
According to the, Hamas was mandated to repatriate all 28 bodies in addition to the 20 living captives released on Monday. Nevertheless, the militant organization has, to date, only returned seven bodies — four on Monday and an additional three on Tuesday night — representing a distinct breach of the agreement.
“A diplomatic endeavor is underway to ensure the agreement’s fulfillment,” stated Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, the other American citizen still held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
“Hamas failed to deliver most of the hostages yesterday, and naturally, we — the families — are profoundly disheartened,” he went on. “Particularly as an American citizen, I am disappointed that the United States was unsuccessful in bringing my son home. We insist that the current opportunity to free the remaining captives must not be squandered.”
“The U.S. and the mediating parties must apply pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages,” Chen further stated, “and utilize the mutually agreed-upon elements — including the release of Palestinian detainees and the reopening of the Rafah Crossing.”
The Israel Defense Forces declared on Wednesday that one of the four bodies repatriated by Hamas to Israel late Tuesday evening was not among the recognized hostages.
President issued a stern warning to Hamas on Tuesday, pledging that the U.S. would intervene if the militant organization does not disarm.
“They committed to disarm, and should they fail to do so, we will disarm them ourselves,” Trump informed journalists at the White House during his meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei.
Professor Hagai Levine, who leads the Health Team for the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, spoke about the emotional impact on families still awaiting updates.
“The psychological burden is immense — families are unable to progress until they have certainty, a respectful burial, and complete assurance about the destiny of their family members,” Levine explained to Digital.
“Consequently, the repatriation of all hostages — both living and deceased — is vital for families, and for the entire nation, to commence the healing process,” he further stated.
Levine clarified that the procedure for identifying and verifying deceased hostages is conducted at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine situated in Abu Kabir, Tel Aviv.
“I maintain close communication with the institute’s personnel,” he mentioned. “We place full confidence in their capabilities. They employ sophisticated technology and various identification techniques — such as distinct markings, unique tattoos, fingerprints, DNA analysis against pre-obtained family samples, and comprehensive full-body CT scans.”
He warned that this process might be lengthy, referencing past incidents like that of, whose remains Hamas initially swapped with those of a Gazan woman before ultimately returning her true body.
“The reception of this news also represents a crucial and emotionally charged moment,” Levine proceeded. “It has the potential to offer some relief and finality, yet it is simultaneously an incredibly stressful period — and we are present to assist the families. Those who are still awaiting fear that their loved ones might be overlooked. The operation is not concluded until every individual is returned to Israel.”
According to a report by Israel’s Kan 11 on Tuesday, which cited Qatari media, Egyptian teams have commenced providing aid in the search for the remains of deceased hostages in Gaza.
Concurrently, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum dispatched a letter to, conveying their appreciation.
“We are profoundly thankful and elated to witness 20 of our cherished ones repatriated, at last rejoining their families who have relentlessly campaigned for their return over such an extended period. Nevertheless, our apprehension is now materializing. Only four deceased hostages are being brought home today,” the letter stated.
“It is imperative that all remaining hostages are returned. We cannot cease our efforts, and we are confident that you will not cease yours, until every single hostage is brought back,” it concluded.