The al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, announced on Tuesday that its fighters had recovered the body of an Israeli soldier in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City and were preparing to hand it over to Israel through humanitarian coordination.

In an official statement, al-Qassam confirmed that the remains were found “during ongoing excavation and search operations inside the yellow zone” in eastern Shejaiya — an area heavily bombarded and devastated by Israeli attacks during months of aggression. The statement added that arrangements were being made for the body’s transfer, demonstrating the movement’s commitment to humanitarian principles even amid continued Israeli violations.

The group noted that the entry of engineering equipment and the presence of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) teams, escorted by al-Qassam members, “greatly facilitated the rapid recovery of the bodies.”

Eyewitnesses in Shejaiya reported that masked resistance fighters, lightly armed and accompanied by ICRC personnel, entered the area early Tuesday to conduct the recovery operation under strict humanitarian supervision.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the movement was continuing its efforts to hand over the remains of Israeli captives “despite challenges and obstacles,” reaffirming that Hamas seeks to complete the process “in accordance with humanitarian and ethical standards.”

Observers note that the operation once again highlights Hamas’s willingness to engage in humanitarian cooperation, even as Israel maintains its siege and continues to target civilian infrastructure across the Gaza Strip.

The move is seen as part of broader efforts by the Palestinian resistance to uphold moral responsibility and international humanitarian principles, in stark contrast to Israel’s ongoing blockade and aggression, which have led to tens of thousands of Palestinian civilian casualties. (ILKHA)