Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza on Wednesday, the Hamas-run health ministry said. The handover came under the US-brokered ceasefire deal, which requires Israel to return 15 Palestinian bodies for every deceased Israeli. This exchange brings the total number of Palestinian bodies received in Gaza to 345.
A medical source at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis confirmed the arrival of the 15 bodies via the Red Cross. The bodies were exchanged for Dror Or, one of the last three Israeli hostages whose remains Israel received on Tuesday. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the exchange shows the group’s commitment to completing the process despite challenges.
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At the start of the ceasefire on October 10, Hamas held 20 living hostages and 28 deceased captives. Since then, all living hostages have been released, and 26 bodies of deceased Israelis were returned. The final two hostages’ bodies remaining in Gaza are Israeli Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.
In return for these releases, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hundreds of Palestinian bodies have also been returned under the ongoing exchange. The ceasefire has maintained a fragile calm while both sides work to complete the process.
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The handovers highlight the complexity of the exchange process and ongoing efforts by Hamas and Israel to adhere to the agreement. Authorities in Gaza continue preparing for further transfers as negotiations proceed under US supervision.