DayofPal—Israel has handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to the International Committee of the Red Cross in exchange for the remains of the last Israeli captive, marking the conclusion of this phase of the deal.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said “Protocols are prepared, files are complete and committees are in place to oversee the handover, ensuring a complete transfer of governance in the Gaza Strip across all sectors to the technocratic committee.”
Gaza Ministry of Health reported that this afternoon, Israel released the bodies of 15 Palestinians at Gaza’s Al-Shifa medical Complex, through the Red Cross, bringing the total number of martyr bodies received to 360.
The exchange closes a chapter in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which has lasted over two years. While all Israeli captives held in Gaza have now been returned, thousands of Palestinians remain imprisoned in Israel, many without charges or trials.
Human rights organizations report that abuses, including torture, medical neglect, and deaths in custody, are widespread among Palestinian detainees.
Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed, pending U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreements that also call for a transfer of Gaza’s governance to a technocratic committee under the supervision of the U.S.-created “Board of Peace.” Hamas has indicated its readiness to cooperate with the transition.
Meanwhile, Gaza continues to face severe humanitarian crises. Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal warned of shortages in food, shelter, and medical supplies due to the ongoing Israeli blockade.
On Thursday, mourners buried two Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire in Khan Younis outside the area controlled by Palestinian authorities.
The war has left more than 71,000 Palestinians killed since it began, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, a toll now acknowledged by the Israeli army.
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