Overview
- Palestinian Civil Defense reported a mass burial in Deir al-Balah for 54 people whose remains were returned by Israel but could not be identified.
- Gaza’s media and health authorities alleged signs of torture, execution and restraints on some bodies, claims the Israeli military rejected as false while saying it follows international law.
- The Gaza Health Ministry said 195 Palestinian bodies have been returned under the deal, with 57 identified and many others too damaged for recognition given limited DNA testing capacity.
- Forensic teams documented belongings and collected DNA from unidentified remains, and officials said mass interments proceeded after a set period without confirmed matches.
- The exchanges continue alongside other elements of the ceasefire, with Hamas having returned the remains of 15 Israelis as Israel confirmed two additional identifications and 13 Israeli bodies still unreturned.