Gaza: Gaza's Health Ministry announced that it has received the remains of 45 Palestinians from Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This development brings the total number of bodies returned since Tuesday to 90.

According to Anadolu Agency, the transfer is part of the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that took effect on October 10. A statement from the ministry noted that medical teams are following approved medical procedures for examinations, documentation, and eventual handover of the bodies to their families.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas has also returned the bodies of eight Israeli hostages over the past two days and released 20 living Israeli hostages on Monday in exchange for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a plan introduced on September 29. This plan aims to bring a ceasefire to Gaza, facilitate the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and ensure a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The second phase of the plan includes establishing a new governing mechanism in Gaza without Hamas' involvement, forming a multinational force, and disarming Hamas.

Since October 2023, nearly 68,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have died due to Israeli attacks in the enclave, rendering the area largely uninhabitable.