Israel handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians to Gaza on Monday, the Red Cross said, a day after Hamas returned the remains of three Israeli soldiers killed in the Oct. 7, 2023, incursion that ignited the ongoing war.
The exchange marked another cautious step in the fragile, U.S.-brokered cease-fire aimed at ending the deadliest and most destructive Israeli bombardments in Gaza.
Since the truce took effect on Oct. 10, Hamas has released the remains of 20 Israeli hostages, with eight still believed to be held in Gaza.
For each Israeli returned, Israel has handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians.
Monday’s transfer brought the total number of Palestinian bodies returned since the cease-fire began to 270.
