Israel Returns 30 Palestinian Bodies; Hostage Remains Identified

Israel on Thursday received the remains of two hostages returned by Hamas and identified them as Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25; families were notified after transfers by the Red Cross and processing by Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine. The transfers were part of a US‑brokered exchange under which Israel returns 15 Palestinian remains for every deceased Israeli handed over; on Friday Israel returned 30 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, bringing that tally to 225. Hamas has so far returned the remains of 17 deceased hostages and released about 20 surviving captives taken on Oct. 7, 2023, according to reporting. Israel accuses Hamas of stalling, staging fake recoveries and violating the deal. The ceasefire has been fragile: the IDF conducted strikes after alleged violations and Gaza health authorities reported dozens of casualties before Israel said the truce was restored. The exchanges and renewed violence underscore ongoing tensions over accountability for hundreds missing or killed since the Oct. 7 attack.