Overview
- Israeli officials said Staff Sgt. Itay Chen’s body was received via the Red Cross and forensically identified, leaving seven deceased hostages still believed to be in Gaza.
- Hamas said the body was found in Gaza City’s Shejaia area after Israel granted access to search teams, with the coffin escorted to Israeli forces for identification.
- Following the handover, Israel returned another 15 Palestinian bodies; the Red Cross has transported 285 Palestinian remains to Gaza, where officials report few identifications due to limited DNA kits.
- The ceasefire that began on October 10 has largely held as exchanges proceed, though Israeli strikes and isolated incidents continue to cause deaths and each side accuses the other of stalling.
- Diplomats say the agreement’s next phase, including plans for a multinational stabilization force, depends on the full return of all hostage remains.