Red Cross Confirms Transfer of Three Coffins — IDF Finds They Do Not Contain Hostage Remains

 Following earlier reports suggesting progress in the recovery of kidnapped civilians’ remains, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed on Friday that it had received three coffins believed to contain the bodies of Israeli hostages.

The coffins were transferred to Israeli authorities and examined at the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine. However, forensic identification determined that the remains were not those of Israeli casualties.

Officials described this as another serious violation by Hamas, noting that the terrorist organization continues to manipulate humanitarian processes for propaganda purposes. According to Israeli estimates, 11 murdered abductees are still held in Gaza.

“A Show Meant to Mislead”

Sources within the Israeli defense establishment said the current process was being viewed internally as a “show” orchestrated by Hamas.

“Hamas’ military wing continues to use the hostages’ bodies as bargaining chips,” one official said, adding that the group “knows the burial locations of the victims but deliberately directs Red Cross and Egyptian representatives to false destinations to maintain psychological and political leverage.”

Government and security officials confirmed that Jerusalem is weighing several coordinated measures with the United States and the IDF’s Civil Administration to increase pressure on Hamas and expedite the return of both living and deceased hostages.

Remembering the Victims

Amiram Cooper, 85 — A Founding Member of Kibbutz Nir Oz

Among the hostages whose deaths have been confirmed is Amiram Cooper, 85, a founding member of Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Born in Haifa, Cooper joined Nir Oz in 1957 as part of the Hashomer Hatzair movement and became one of its pillars. A trained economist, he served as a financial and control manager for 24 years in the Ma’on region and was widely known for his sharp intellect and moral clarity.

“Numbers were his thing,” relatives recalled. Cooper was also a passionate writer who published essays on economics, politics, and society, as well as poetry celebrating pioneering life and agricultural labor.

He is survived by his wife Nurit, 79 — herself a former hostage released in the initial women-and-children exchange — along with four children and 11 grandchildren.

Sahar Baruch, 25 — Devotion Until the End

Another hostage confirmed killed in Gaza was Sahar Baruch, 25, from Be’eri. The son of Tami and Roni Baruch, Sahar was the younger brother of Guy and the older brother of Idan and Niv.

On the morning of October 7, as Hamas terrorists stormed Be’eri, Sahar and his brother Idan were injured by grenade fragments at their mother’s home. Despite his own wounds, Sahar tended to his brother. When the attackers set the house on fire, the brothers tried to escape through a window.

Sahar stayed behind briefly to retrieve Idan’s inhaler — a final act of care that cost him his life. Idan was murdered near the house, while Sahar was abducted and taken into Gaza. After 62 days in captivity, his family received confirmation that he had been murdered. He was 25 years old.