Hamas resumes search for remains of last Israeli hostage in Gaza: source

Workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross search for the remains of the last Israeli hostage east of the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, on Jan. 7, 2025. A Hamas source said Wednesday the group has resumed searching for the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Hamas source said Wednesday the group has resumed searching for the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip.

The source, who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the search is taking place in the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, with the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The operation faces significant challenges due to widespread destruction from Israeli military operations during the war and a lack of necessary equipment.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News also reported the resumed efforts by Hamas and the ICRC to locate the body of Israeli policeman Ran Gvili.

The move came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted by Kan as saying that Israel would not "reopen the Rafah crossing until the body of Gvili is returned."

Workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross search for the remains of the last Israeli hostage east of the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, on Jan. 7, 2025. A Hamas source said Wednesday the group has resumed searching for the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Hamas members search for the remains of the last Israeli hostage east of the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, on Jan. 7, 2025. A Hamas source said Wednesday the group has resumed searching for the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Hamas members search for the remains of the last Israeli hostage east of the Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, on Jan. 7, 2025. A Hamas source said Wednesday the group has resumed searching for the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)