{
  "id": 562887,
  "title": "Israel holding bodies of 1,700 Palestinians as bargaining chips, says report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/israel-holding-bodies-of-1-700-palestinians-as-bargaining-chips-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T12:07:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-holding-1700-palestinian-bodies-bargaining-chips-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli authorities are reportedly holding the bodies of approximately 1,700 Palestinians as potential bargaining chips, according to a recent report by Haaretz. The Israeli military and Shin Bet chief David Zini support the decision, despite the fact that no Israeli hostages are currently held by Palestinian armed groups. Most of the remains belong to Palestinian combatants from the 2023 Hamas-led attack, but also include Palestinian civilians and Israeli citizens. However, legal experts argue that Israel does not have the authority to hold the remains of Palestinian non-combatants, as it is not supported by Security Cabinet policy. In July, the Israeli daily reported that authorities admitted to holding the body of a Palestinian detainee, a father of four who died while in custody, despite not disclosing information about the circumstances of his death. The Israeli government has continued to hold the bodies of over 100 Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza who died in its custody, some of which have been returned to their families. Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned this policy, emphasizing the need to treat the dead with dignity according to international humanitarian law.",
  "summary": "Israel is reportedly holding the bodies of about 1,700 Palestinians as potential bargaining chips, according to a Haaretz report. Despite there being no Israeli hostages currently held by Palestinian armed groups, the Shin Bet chief, David Zini, has reportedly backed the move, with support from the Israeli military. The remains mostly belong to Palestinian combatants involved in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, but also include Palestinian civilians and 13 Israeli citizens. However, legal sources argue that Israel lacks the authority to hold the remains of Palestinian non-combatants, as the decision is not backed by Security Cabinet policy.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}