Cairo/Jerusalem: Palestinian militant group Hamas has handed over the remains of one of the last two deceased hostages still in Gaza, the International Committee of the Red Cross said, under terms of the October ceasefire deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement overnight that Israeli forces in Gaza had received what it described as “findings” that would be taken into Israel for forensic testing.
A makeshift tent stands amid widespread devastation in Gaza City in November.Credit: AP
The two remaining deceased hostages are Israeli police officer Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, both kidnapped during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked two years of devastating war in Gaza.
The Geneva-based ICRC has acted as an intermediary between Gaza militant groups and Israel throughout the war triggered by Hamas’ attack, helping facilitate the release of living hostages and the handover of remains.
Violence has tailed off since the October 10 ceasefire, but Israel has continued to strike Gaza and conduct demolitions against what it says is Hamas infrastructure. Hamas and Israel have traded blame for violating the US-backed agreement.
At least 357 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire went into effect, Gaza health authorities say. Palestinian militants killed three Israeli soldiers during this time, Israeli authorities said.
Reuters
