Search crews used heavy equipment in Khan Younis on Saturday (October 18) to look for remains believed to be of those Israeli hostages reportedly killed after their capture by Hamas in the October 7, 2023 attack.

Under the U.S.-brokered deal between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending the two-year war in Gaza, Hamas agreed to release the remaining 20 living hostages and 28 deceased hostages in exchange for Israel freeing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Hamas has handed over 10 deceased hostage so far out of 28 bodies held in Gaza. Hamas, citing technical problems, has said it needed heavy machinery and excavating equipment to speed up the process of locating bodies buried under rubble.

Israel, insisting Hamas knows the whereabouts of the hostages' bodies, had said the group was running out of time.

Hamas has said it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement and to handing over the bodies of all remaining hostages.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (OCTOBER 18, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF BULLDOZER OPERATING IN SEARCH FOR BODIES BELIEVED TO BE THOSE OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES KILLED IN GAZA / DESTROYED BUILDINGS

2. BULLDOZER REMOVING DIRT

3. VARIOUS OF BULLDOZERS REMOVING DIRT / PEOPLE AT SITE / DAMAGED BUILDINGS

4. DAMAGED BUILDINGS / PEOPLE AT SITE

5. HEAVY MACHINERY AT SITE / CHILDREN RUNNING

6. PEOPLE HANDLING HEAVY MACHINERY / DESTROYED BUILDINGS