Israel Returns 15 Palestinian Bodies as Part of Captive Swap Agreement

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Israel has handed over the remains of 15 Palestinian captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross in exchange for the final captive held by Israel. The transfer occurred as part of a ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, following a series of prisoner-swap deals and military operations.

The Israeli government had previously laid to rest policeman Ran Gvili, who was killed during Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Gvili’s remains were among the last held by Palestinian authorities in the territory.

Palestinian authorities are still awaiting confirmation of the location where the remaining captives will be released. The bodies of the Palestinians will either be taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis or al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, according to officials.

The return of all captives from Gaza has been a gradual process, with multiple ceasefire agreements and prisoner-swap deals facilitating their release. However, thousands of Palestinians continue to be held in Israeli prisons without charges or trials.

A recent report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights found that Israel was holding approximately 9,400 Palestinians as “security detainees” in facilities where abuses such as torture and sexual assault were reported.

In November, a report by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel stated that at least 94 Palestinian prisoners had died during detention due to causes such as torture, medical neglect, malnutrition, and assault. The true number is likely higher.

The Israeli army has acknowledged the Gaza Health Ministry’s count of nearly 70,000 Palestinians killed during the war, although Israel has disputed this figure in the past. Over 71,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the conflict began.

Palestinians are awaiting the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which is part of a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The agreement also calls for a political transition in Gaza, starting with a committee of Palestinian technocrats responsible for day-to-day governance.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated that the group was prepared to transfer governance of Gaza to the committee. “Protocols are prepared, files are complete and committees are in place to oversee the handover, ensuring a complete transfer of governance in the Gaza Strip across all sectors to the technocratic committee,” he said.

Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal warned that the territory is experiencing an “unprecedented catastrophe” due to shortages of shelter, food, and medical supplies.

Source: Al Jazeera