Israel on Friday handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, health officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said, marking another step in implementing the fragile U.S.-mediated ceasefire deal.

The transfer came hours after Palestinian militants returned the body of an Israeli hostage — one of the last four still held since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that sparked the Gaza war.

Israel identified the hostage as Meny Godard, who was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife, Ayelet, was killed during the assault. Armed groups linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad said his body had been found in southern Gaza.

Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Israel has received the remains of 25 hostages, while three more are yet to be recovered. Hamas returned 20 Israeli hostages alive on Oct. 13. Under the agreement’s first phase, Israel releases the bodies of 15 Palestinians for each hostage returned. So far, Gaza health officials say they have received 330 bodies, but only 95 have been formally identified due to shortages of DNA testing kits.

Both sides have accused each other of breaching elements of the deal. Israel alleges Hamas has returned partial remains and staged recovery scenes, while Hamas accuses Israel of firing on civilians and restricting humanitarian aid.

Gaza death toll surpasses 69,000 as Israel, Hamas exchange remains again

The wider agreement outlines plans for an international stabilization force, a technocratic Palestinian administration, and the disarmament of Hamas.

The war began when Hamas-led fighters stormed southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s military campaign since then has killed more than 69,100 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Source: AP