Israel Returns 15 Palestinian Bodies as Ceasefire Deal Moves Forward

Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza on Friday, marking another step in the implementation of the fragile US-brokered ceasefire agreement. Officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis confirmed the handover, which comes as both sides continue to navigate a tense and complicated phase of the truce.

The latest transfer took place after Hamas returned the body of one of the last remaining Israeli hostages abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack. Israel identified the body as that of Meny Godard, who was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri while his wife, Ayelet, was killed during the assault. Armed factions in Gaza said Godard’s remains were recovered in the southern part of the territory.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel has been returning the bodies of Palestinians in exchange for the remains of Israeli hostages. Since the agreement took effect on October 10, 25 bodies of Israeli hostages have been handed back to Israel. Hamas has also returned 20 living hostages, though three more are yet to be located and handed over. In total, Gaza authorities say 330 Palestinian bodies have been received since the exchanges began, but only 95 have been formally identified. Severe shortages of DNA testing kits and forensic resources have made identification extremely difficult.

On Friday, the bodies of 27 unidentified Palestinians were buried in Deir al-Balah. Gaza’s Health Ministry said that more than 180 unidentified bodies have already been interred, with the number expected to rise as the process continues.

Despite progress in the exchanges, accusations from both sides have amplified tensions. Israel has claimed Hamas returned partial remains in some cases and staged the discovery of others. Hamas, in turn, has accused Israel of opening fire on civilians and imposing restrictions on humanitarian aid, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.

Meanwhile, international concern is growing over a sharp rise in violence in the West Bank. The UN’s human rights chief condemned a surge of over 260 settler attacks on Palestinians in October — the highest recorded in nearly two decades. Recent incidents include the burning of a mosque and vehicles in Palestinian villages, prompting Israeli President Isaac Herzog to describe the acts as “shocking and serious.” Israeli military leaders have promised action against the perpetrators, though Palestinians and rights groups argue the violence is widespread and carried out with impunity.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank reported that six teenagers aged 15 to 17 were killed in separate incidents involving Israeli forces over the past two weeks. The Israeli military claimed its troops responded to Molotov cocktails, explosives, and other perceived threats. In one incident, soldiers opened fire on Palestinians throwing rocks, saying it was done according to “standard operating procedures.”

The ceasefire, built around a 20-point plan, aims to bring an end to the months-long war that erupted after the October 7 attack, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage. Israel’s military response has killed over 69,100 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry, which continues to document casualties despite limited medical capacity.

As the ceasefire moves forward, the return of bodies remains one of the few areas showing consistent progress. Yet the broader situation remains volatile, with rising violence, political tensions, and humanitarian constraints threatening the fragile path toward stability.