Israel has received several leads about the burial site of the remains of the final hostage St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili over recent weeks, sources familiar with the details said on Thursday.
The leads are being examined, and Israel is awaiting verification of their validity, the sources clarified.
Hamas terrorists had been conducting searches for Gvili's remains in Zeitoun, but paused due to inclement weather conditions when Storm Byron hit on Wednesday.
Israeli pressure led to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad searching the area, Maariv learned earlier this week.
Hamas and PIJ "know where Gvili's remains are located, and have the ability to find them. The problem is they are not motivated to do so," a security source told Maariv. "We believe they can put in more effort."
Mediators are currently applying heavy pressure on Hamas after Israel made it clear that Phase II of the US-backed peace deal will not begin until Gvili's remains are returned to Israel for a proper burial, security officials emphasized.
Search for Gvili's remains expected to resume after Storm Byron calms
Officials expect the terror groups to resume their searches on Friday, once the storm abates.
"We are applying very strong and clear pressure. Until Gvili's remains are returned, there will be no progress. Everyone knows we are in an interim situation," a second security source told Maariv.
"This stage also has disadvantages for Hamas, as they will not receive anything that will allow the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip. There will be no concrete, no concrete mixers, no discussion of a new Yellow Line, no opening of the Rafah Border Crossing - and more!" the source added.
Once Gvili's remains have been returned, Washington is believed to be expecting Israel to transition from a rationale of "Bring Them Home" to implementing commitments that have already been made, including shaping the post-Gaza situation, allowing the opening of the Rafah Border Crossings, cooperating with the International Stabilization Force if it is established, and dealing directly with Hamas terrorists.
The prevailing assessment in Israel indicates that the US administration will try to push for a wide-ranging, coordinated move, including a two-way opening of the Rafah Border Crossing, progress in establishing the ISF, appointing a Palestinian technocratic government, and opening concrete discussions on disarming the terror groups as part of Phase II.