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Israel Returns 30 Palestinian Bodies as Hamas Hands Over Two Hostage Remains

The fragile truce depends on calibrated returns of the dead, a process slowed by rubble and scarce forensic resources.

Overview

  • Nasser Hospital and the Red Cross said 30 Palestinian bodies were delivered to Khan Younis on Friday, bringing the total repatriated to Gaza to 225 under the remains-for-remains exchange.
  • Israel’s prime minister’s office confirmed the two bodies transferred Thursday were identified as hostages Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper, raising the number of Israeli deceased returned to 17 of 28.
  • Under the US-brokered terms, Israel is to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each deceased Israeli hostage, a mechanism that has continued despite renewed Israeli strikes that tested the pause.
  • Gaza health officials report difficulty identifying remains due to limited DNA capacity, and staff quoted by Wafa described signs of abuse on some bodies; Israel has not provided identities with the transfers.
  • The Red Cross said Friday evening it transferred three bodies from Gaza to Israel for identification, as Israeli outlets reported preparations for potential misidentification issues in upcoming handovers.