#hostage-returns

#hostage-returns

Israel has received, via the Red Cross, the bodies of two hostages, which were returned to Israeli security forces in Gaza, Netanyahu's office said in a post on the X social media platform early on Sunday. The prime minister's office said the families of Israeli captives were updated on the return of the remains, and the two bodies had been transferred to Israel's National Centre of Forensic Medicine for identification.

Gaza's media office has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire with Hamas 47 times since the truce came into effect in early October, killing 38 Palestinians and wounding another 143. These violations have included crimes of direct gunfire against civilians, deliberate shelling and targeting, and the arrest of a number of civilians, reflecting the occupation's continued policy of aggression despite the declared end of the war, reads the statement.

Rafah border crossing with Egypt due to open Aid trucks start entering other crossings Hamas hands over two more bodies late on Wednesday Israel identifying hostage remains Israel had warned it could keep Rafah shut and reduce aid supplies because it said Hamas was returning bodies too slowly, showing the risks to a truce that has stopped two years of devastating warfare in Gaza and seen all living hostages held by Hamas freed.

Israeli officials are in Cairo negotiating a ceasefire agreement with Hamas based on a 20-point plan presented by US President Donald Trump. The agreement would see the remaining 47 Israeli hostages returned (25 of whom are presumed dead), a cessation of Israel's bombing campaign and the creation of an interim government for Gaza led by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.