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Israel Says Three Remains From Gaza Are Not Hostages as Body Exchanges Test Fragile Truce

The finding clouds a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ties verified returns to reciprocal transfers of Palestinian bodies.

Overview

  • Israel confirmed that the latest three sets of remains transferred via the Red Cross do not match any missing hostages.
  • Hamas this week handed over the bodies of Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper, raising confirmed hostage remains returned to 17 with 11 still outstanding.
  • Israel transferred 30 Palestinian bodies to Gaza on Friday, bringing total returns under the deal to about 225, in line with the 15-for-1 formula per deceased Israeli.
  • The Red Cross is facilitating handovers as Gaza hospitals report lacking DNA kits, with authorities saying only about 75 of the returned Palestinian bodies have been identified.
  • Renewed Israeli strikes this week killed more than 100 people, Gaza health officials said, intensifying pressure on a ceasefire already strained by disputed identifications and slow recoveries.