Overview
- The IDF said the coffins entered Israel under military escort and are being examined at the National Center of Forensic Medicine, with families to be formally notified after identification.
- The ICRC confirmed it facilitated the handover to Israeli forces and said it also transferred Palestinian bodies as part of the exchange framework.
- Tuesday’s return increases the number of deceased hostages recovered to about 15 from an initial 28 believed in Gaza, with Israeli statements indicating roughly 13 still unaccounted for.
- Coverage from Israeli outlets reported the exchange includes repatriation of Palestinian remains, described as 15 bodies per Israeli body, with a cumulative total of 165 Palestinian bodies transferred so far.
- Officials continue to warn of obstacles to locating all remains, with Hamas citing the need for special equipment and the IDF noting a prior handover included a body later found not to be an Israeli hostage.