The Red cross in the Gaza Strip received two coffins with deceased hostages held by Hamas, the Israeli army announced today. The coffins were sent to the point of the Israeli army and Israel Security Agency (ISA) in Gaza, reports CNN.

Hamas also announced that the bodies of two hostages were handed over to the Red Cross,  as well as that the bodies of all the Israeli hostages they could find were returned.

The statement said that the remaining bodies will require extensive efforts and special equipment to find and retrieve bodies from the ruins in the Gaza Strip, reports Reuters.

Hamas said it was committed to what was agreed in the ceasefire agreement and said it was"making great efforts to close that chapter". In a statement published on social networks, it was stated that the group fulfilled its obligation under the agreement by handing over all living Israeli prisoners as well as the bodies of the killed hostages that could be reached.

"As for the remaining bodies, extensive efforts and special equipment are required to find and retrieve them. We are making a great effort to close this file," Hamas said in a statement.

Tensions

Hamas on Monday returned four bodies confirmed to belong to dead hostages, and four bodies late last night, although Israeli authorities said one of the bodies does not belong to the hostage.

The dispute over the return of the bodies of the hostages still has the potential to undermine the ceasefire agreement, along with other important issues that have not yet been resolved, the agency said. Later stages of the truce call for Hamas to lay down arms and hand over power, which it has so far refused to do. Instead, he launched a security purge through public executions and clashes with local clans.

The bodies of the 21 hostages are still in Gaza, although some may not be easily found or retrievable due to destruction during the conflict. An international task force should find them. The agreement also requires that Israel return the bodies of 360 Palestinians. The first group of 45 bodies was handed over yesterday, and Palestinian health authorities said they were being identified.