Israel Returns 45 Palestinian Bodies to Gaza as Part of US-Brokered Ceasefire Agreement

Palestinian Territories:

On Wednesday, Israel returned 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza authorities, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the Palestinian territory. This brings the total number of bodies returned under a US-brokered ceasefire agreement to 90.

AFP journalists witnessed morgue workers unloading refrigerated trucks alongside Red Cross vehicles in Khan Yunis, a southern Gaza city.

The ceasefire deal, facilitated by US President Donald Trump, stipulates that Israel must return 15 Palestinian bodies for each deceased Israeli handed over, with the aim of ending the two-year Gaza conflict.

Hamas transferred three Israeli bodies and one Nepalese body on Monday. This was followed by three more deceased Israelis on Tuesday, along with one unidentified body that military officials confirmed was not among those listed as dead hostages.

As part of the exchange, the final 20 surviving hostages have returned to Israel from Gaza, while nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been released from Israeli detention facilities. The agreement has also resulted in a cessation of fighting and bombardment.

The remains of 20 additional hostages are still in Gaza, creating domestic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to link humanitarian aid to the return of these bodies.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, has threatened to suspend supplies to Gaza if Hamas fails to return the remains of soldiers still held in the territory.

Despite reports suggesting a possible reopening for aid convoys, a critical border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remained closed on Wednesday, as Israel demanded Hamas return the remains of the remaining deceased hostages.