Overview
- Israel handed 30 Palestinian bodies to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis via the Red Cross, bringing the total returned to about 225, officials said.
- The transfer followed Hamas’ handover of the remains of Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper, which Israel confirmed as those of deceased hostages.
- The Red Cross also moved three unidentified remains into Israel; military officials say they do not match any known hostages and forensic checks are underway at Abu Kabir.
- Under the U.S.-brokered truce, Hamas is to return the remains of 28 dead hostages in exchange for Palestinian bodies at a 15-to-1 ratio; 17 sets have been returned and 11 are still listed in Gaza.
- Intermittent Israeli strikes and limited DNA capacity in Gaza are slowing exchanges and fueling concerns over the ceasefire’s durability.