Israel hands over 15 additional Palestinian bodies, Gaza hospital officials report
Israeli authorities have returned 15 more Palestinian bodies to Gaza, hospital officials said Wednesday, marking the latest exchange under the ongoing ceasefire agreement as talks move toward a second phase. The handover comes a day after Palestinian militants returned the remains of Israeli hostage Dror Or, who was killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack in southern Israel. Under the terms of the agreement, Israel returns 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage released.
Since the exchanges began last month, Israel has handed over 345 Palestinian bodies, with only 99 identified so far, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Two hostages—a Thai national and one Israeli—remain in Gaza. Hamas has pledged to return both as part of the agreement. Meanwhile, Turkish, Qatari, and Egyptian officials met in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the next steps of the ceasefire, including deploying an international stabilization force and establishing a governing body for Gaza’s reconstruction. The proposed peacekeeping force would help maintain security, disarm Hamas, and oversee rebuilding efforts, with Indonesia planning to contribute 20,000 troops.
The return of Dror Or’s remains drew mourning in Israel. Or and his wife, Yonat, were killed during the attack on Kibbutz Beeri, while two of their children, Alma and Noam, were abducted and later released in November 2023. Or, remembered as a devoted father and skilled cheesemaker, spent years managing the Be’eri dairy and was also a chef and yoga instructor. Palestinian militants killed roughly 1,200 people across southern Israel and abducted 251 during the Oct. 7 assault, which triggered the current conflict.
The ceasefire has seen intermittent violence. Hospital officials reported that a Palestinian man was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces opened fire east of the Maghazi refugee camp, wounding at least two others. Israeli troops also targeted militants in Rafah, killing one. Since the ceasefire began on Oct. 11, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 345 Palestinians have been killed and 889 wounded, while Israeli casualties remain part of ongoing reporting.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue. Turkish, Qatari, and Egyptian officials have been coordinating with the U.S. to advance the second phase of the ceasefire, working to prevent violations and ensure the agreement holds. Indonesia is preparing to deploy a substantial peacekeeping contingent, with health, engineering, and mechanized support units, along with transport and medical assets, awaiting final presidential authorization. The force aims to stabilize Gaza while supporting reconstruction and maintaining security, as discussions continue over the next steps in the fragile ceasefire.
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