Haaretz: Israel holding 1,700 bodies of Palestinians as bargaining chip
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Tuesday that Israel is holding approximately 1,700 bodies of Palestinians, citing security establishment sources. Most belong to Gazans who participated in the October 7, 2023 attacks or subsequent fighting, but some were not involved in hostilities, according to the report. The practice is supported by both the Shin Bet security service and the Israeli military as a potential bargaining chip, while legal sources questioned the authority to retain bodies without proven combat links.
The Haaretz Report
Haaretz, citing security establishment sources, said Israel is holding about 1,700 Palestinian bodies. Most of the dead are Gazans who took part in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks or died in subsequent clashes with Israeli forces. The report notes that some bodies belong to individuals who did not participate in the fighting. Israel's Shin Bet and the military are said to support the policy, viewing the remains as leverage for future negotiations over Israeli captives or missing persons.
Legal Authority
Legal sources cited by Haaretz indicated that Israel's Security Cabinet has not held a principled discussion on retaining Palestinian bodies. They argued that without a proven link to hostilities, the state lacks the authority to hold the remains. Israeli law typically requires explicit approval for such measures, and the absence of a cabinet decision casts doubt on the practice's legality.
Previous Disclosures
In October 2025, the Palestinian National Campaign for Revealing the Fate of the Missing and Retrieving Bodies said the Israeli army was holding about 1,500 bodies of Palestinians from Gaza at the Sde Teiman detention center in southern Israel. The new Haaretz report suggests the number may have risen to around 1,700. The campaign has long demanded the return of the bodies for proper burial.
What's Next
The Israeli security cabinet may eventually address the legal framework for holding Palestinian bodies, but no timeline has been set. It remains unclear whether families of the deceased or Palestinian authorities will pursue legal action to reclaim the remains.
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Haaretz: Israel holding 1,700 bodies of Palestinians as bargaining chip
