US said blocking Israel from imposing sanctions as Hamas delays return of hostages

The United States is preventing Israel from imposing sanctions on Hamas or Gaza as the terror group delays returning bodies of slain hostages, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

The report, citing sources involved, says that Israel is becoming increasingly frustrated as Hamas has not returned any bodies since Tuesday, despite Israel believing they have the ability to do so.

Initial reports that Hamas would return further bodies yesterday proved false; however, the sources said there was hope this could happen today.

The sources said the constant stream of senior US officials visiting Israel was a sign to Jerusalem not to take any steps that could be seen as jeopardizing the ceasefire.

The sources also said that the US was pressuring mediators Egypt and Qatar to ensure that Hamas fulfilled its obligation to return all the hostages.

Late Tuesday, Hama  handed over two caskets to Israel via the Red Cross night with the remains of Kibbutz Nir Oz residents Arie “Zalman” Zalmanowicz, 85, and Tamir Adar, 38.

The repatriation of the remains of Zalmanowicz and Adar brought the number of bodies of deceased captives still held in the Strip down from 15 to 13. At the start of the ceasefire on October 10, the bodies of 28 deceased hostages were held inside the Gaza Strip.

Hamas had committed to returning them within 72-hours of a partial Israeli withdrawal, but later said it had trouble locating some of the bodies and needed heavy equipment to reach them.