Israel has returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza through the International Committee of the Red Cross, even as new Israeli air strikes on Friday killed three people, raising concerns over continuing violations during the ongoing truce.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the total number of bodies returned so far has reached 225. Medical teams in Gaza are now working to identify the victims before informing their families.
The handover took place while Israeli forces continued attacks across the Gaza Strip. One man was shot dead in Gaza City’s Shujayea neighborhood, another was killed in Jabalia refugee camp, and a third person died from earlier injuries.
Doctors in Gaza reported that many of the returned bodies showed signs of severe mistreatment. Some were found blindfolded and handcuffed, while others were burned or had missing limbs and teeth. The condition of the bodies has fueled accusations of abuse inside Israeli detention centers, where thousands of Palestinians are currently held without charge.
The return of bodies is part of a prisoner exchange agreement reached in early October. Under the deal, Hamas released captives while Israel released Palestinian detainees and withdrew some troops from urban areas. However, the truce has remained weak. The Gaza Health Ministry says dozens of Palestinians, including children and women, have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was announced on October 10.
The Red Cross also confirmed the transfer of three unidentified bodies to Israel for forensic testing. Hamas has returned 17 bodies of Israeli captives so far and continues efforts to retrieve remains trapped under collapsed buildings.
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain difficult. Only limited aid trucks have entered, and relief groups say supplies of food, medicine, and essentials remain extremely low. Access to UN warehouses has become difficult, especially in the north, where famine was previously declared.
Aid organizations warn that without stable access routes and a sustained ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis is likely to worsen in the coming weeks.
