Israel says bodies returned from Gaza not among remaining hostages

Israel’s military said on Saturday that three bodies received from Gaza via the Red Cross on Friday night were not among the hostages previously held in the Palestinian territory. A forensic examination confirmed that the remains did not belong to any of the 11 deceased captives still to be returned under a US-brokered truce agreement.

Since the start of the ceasefire, 17 bodies have been transferred to Israel: 15 of Israeli nationals, one Thai, and one Nepalese. Following the truce, which began on October 10, Hamas released the 20 surviving hostages it had been holding and began returning the bodies of those who had died. Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the process, while the group maintains that locating the bodies in Gaza’s devastation will take time.

Israel returns more Palestinian bodies under truce

As part of the exchange arrangement, Israel on Friday returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza, according to the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis. The hospital said the remains were transferred by the Red Cross after being handed over by Israeli authorities.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is required to return 15 Palestinian bodies for every deceased Israeli hostage repatriated by Hamas. With the latest transfer, the total number of Palestinian bodies returned has reached 225.

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