Hamas has handed over three coffins said to contain the bodies of deceased hostages from Gaza, as part of the ongoing first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Under the terms of the truce, which began last month, Hamas agreed to return 20 living hostages and 28 deceased individuals. While several bodies have already been transferred, this latest handover marks another step in fulfilling the agreement.
Israeli authorities have accused Hamas of delaying the return of the deceased, saying the process has been slower than expected. Hamas, however, maintains that efforts to locate and retrieve bodies have been hindered by extensive destruction and rubble in Gaza.
The remains transferred will undergo identification procedures in Israel, as both sides continue to navigate a fragile truce amid ongoing tension and mutual accusations of violations.
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