Hostage Amiram Cooper’s son, whose body remains in Gaza, says: ‘It’s not over yet’

The son of an Israeli hostage whose body remains in Gaza told the BBC that he was dealing with the realization that “it’s not over yet, and the battle will be longer.”

Rotem Cooper, whose father Amiram was among 24 hostages whose bodies were not returned to Israel on Monday, said the families were trying to “somehow gather strength to pull themselves together… and continue the fight.”

He called on US President Donald Trump, Qatar, Egypt and other countries participating in the peace agreement negotiations to “show Hamas that this is unacceptable.”

The ceasefire and hostage release agreement signed by Israel and Hamas stipulates the return of the remaining hostages in Gaza by noon on Monday, with the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel in return.

While the 20 hostages still alive have been released, a version of the agreement published by Israeli media appears to acknowledge that Hamas and other Palestinian factions may not be able to locate all the bodies of deceased hostages by the deadline.

Their families pinned their hopes on the return of their loved ones on Monday after two years in captivity.

“We were hoping and expecting that between 15 and 20 of the 28 deceased hostages would be released, but that did not happen. Only four were announced,” Cooper said.

He described the news as a “very big disappointment” to the families.

“It is clear to us that they could and should have released more and that they are playing games.”

Mr. Cooper’s parents were kidnapped in Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, from their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz. His mother was released later that month while his father was killed in captivity.

The Israeli military said he was operating in the area at the time but did not confirm how he was killed, and this week referred the BBC to an earlier statement in which it said the circumstances were “under investigation.” Hamas claimed that he was killed in an Israeli military raid.

The Forum of Hostages and Families of Missing Persons, which represents relatives of many hostages, called for a “very serious response” from the Israeli government and mediators, to what was described as “Hamas’ violation of the agreement.”

She said other stages of the peace plan should not advance until all remaining bodies are returned.

Cooper headed to the Re’im military base in southern Israel on Monday to see the return of the 20 living hostages.

In voice notes sent throughout the day, he described feeling “tremendous anticipation” and “huge relief” when he saw them return. But he said the idea of ​​the bodies returning to Israel was “heartbreaking.”

He spoke again the next day, after news that the four bodies returned did not include Amiram’s, describing the experience as a “big rollercoaster.”

Cooper said the return of his father’s body would allow him to “feel some peace” and “sleep better at night.”

“Everything has been put on hold,” he said.

Robbie Chen, whose son Itai’s body remains in Gaza, said he felt a similar mix of emotions.

“We were thrilled (on Monday) to see 20 hostages come out and reunite with their families, but we were very disappointed not to see more deceased hostages come out,” he said in a video message sent to the BBC by the Forum for Hostages and Missing Families.

Chen added: “We ask the Israeli government, the United States and the mediators to continue the fight and put pressure on Hamas to adhere to the agreement that was signed and followed and to return all 24 hostages remaining in captivity.”

The Israeli army said on Tuesday that, after forensic examinations, it identified the four hostages whose bodies were returned and informed their families that their loved ones had been reburied.

She added that they included Jay Illouz – who was shot at the Nova Music Festival and is believed to have died of his wounds – and Bipin Joshi, who is believed to have been “killed in captivity during the first months of the war.”