Gaza – On October 26, 2025, Israel permitted the entry of heavy excavation equipment from Egypt to assist in the search for the bodies of slain hostages in Gaza, a humanitarian gesture amid the fragile ceasefire. The machinery, including bulldozers and cranes, will help uncover remains in areas where Hamas buried bodies during the conflict, following the identification of Eliyahu Margalit’s body on October 20.

The entry, coordinated with mediators Qatar and Egypt, aims to bring closure to families of the 20 deceased hostages still missing. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, “This is a step toward truth and healing for the families.” The equipment, entering via Kerem Shalom, will be supervised by IDF and international observers to ensure compliance with the ceasefire.