Overview
- Israeli authorities said forensic testing confirmed the remains of Capt. Omer Neutra, Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel and Col. Assaf Hamami were among three bodies handed over via the Red Cross.
- Following the confirmations, Israel transferred 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, bringing the total returned under the deal to about 270, according to Gaza health officials and the Red Cross.
- The latest handovers advance phase one of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which ties verified returns to reciprocal body transfers and other steps toward stabilisation.
- Roughly eight deceased Israeli hostages are still unreturned as recovery and identification efforts proceed slowly in Gaza due to rubble, tunnel collapses and shortages of DNA kits.
- Confidence remains strained after earlier deliveries included remains later found not to be hostages, while both sides continue to trade accusations over limited strikes and ceasefire violations.