Israel Transfers 15 Palestinian Bodies to Gaza as Ceasefire Deal Moves Forward

Gaza — Health officials in Gaza confirmed on Friday that Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, marking another step in the fragile U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The transfer took place shortly after Hamas returned the body of one of the last remaining Israeli hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the current war. Body of Israeli Hostage Returned Hamas delivered the remains of Meny Godard, who was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife was killed during the same assault. According to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, his body was located in southern Gaza. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israel has recovered the bodies of 25 Israeli hostages, while three more are still believed to be in Gaza. Hamas previously released 20 living hostages on October 13. Under the terms of the ceasefire’s first phase, Israel releases 15 Palestinian bodies for every returned hostage. So far, Gaza authorities report receiving 330 bodies, though only 95 have been formally identified due to a severe shortage of DNA testing kits. More Unidentified Bodies Buried On Friday, 27 unidentified Palestinians were buried in Deir al-Balah. In total, 182 unknown Palestinians have been interred by Gaza’s Health Ministry. Mutual Accusations Amid the Exchange Despite the ongoing exchanges, both sides claim the other is violating parts of the ceasefire agreement: Israel alleges Hamas returned incomplete remains and staged some discovery locations. Hamas accuses Israel of opening fire on civilians and restricting humanitarian aid into Gaza. UN Condemns Rising Settler Violence in West Bank The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Israel to stop escalating settler violence in the West Bank, calling recent attacks “unacceptable.” UN officials reported over 260 settler attacks in October alone, the highest monthly total since 2006. The UN also reiterated that Israel’s continued settlement expansion and claims of sovereignty over the West Bank violate international law, a stance supported by the International Court of Justice. Recent Incidents Include: A mosque in the central West Bank set on fire by Israeli settlers. Settlers torching and damaging cars and property in the villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf. These incidents were strongly criticized even by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who called the attacks “shocking and serious.” Six Palestinian Teenagers Killed in Recent Clashes According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, six teenagers aged 15–17 were killed over the past two weeks in separate confrontations with Israeli forces. The Israeli military claims: In three cases, its forces responded to Molotov cocktails, explosives, or suspected terror activity. In another instance, troops fired at Palestinians throwing stones, stating it was necessary to “remove the threat.” What Comes Next for Gaza? The ongoing ceasefire is part of a 20-point political and security plan that outlines: Deployment of an international stabilization force Formation of a technocratic Palestinian governing body Disarmament of Hamas The goal is to gradually bring an end to a war that began with the Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage. Israel’s response has left more than 69,100 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which keeps detailed casualty records widely regarded as credible by independent experts.