Hamas Hands Over Two Hostage Remains

Israel’s military said Hamas handed over the apparent remains of two hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza on Thursday; the coffins were escorted into Israel and taken to the Abu Kabir/National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification, which officials said could take up to two days. The transfer is part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began Oct. 10 and follows prior returns — around 15 bodies have been returned so far — though additional remains still must be recovered under the deal. The truce remains fragile: Israeli strikes in southern Gaza, including on Khan Younis and in response to the reported killing of an Israeli soldier near Rafah, injured dozens and earlier sparked reports of heavy Palestinian casualties. Israel has accused Hamas of violating the agreement by withholding bodies and staging recoveries, releasing drone footage to back the claims; Hamas denies the allegations. The Red Cross said its staff were unaware of any prior movement of a body bag and called such staging unacceptable if true as forensic testing and identification continue amid heightened tensions.