Gaza city: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced on Wednesday its intention to hand over the body of another Israeli captive as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement. The remains are set to be transferred at 9 pm local time (1900GMT) after being discovered under the rubble in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has already released 20 Israeli captives alive and handed over the remains of 21 individuals, primarily Israelis, since the ceasefire began on October 10. However, Israel has contested that one of the bodies handed over does not match any individual on its list of captives.

Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire hinge on the handover of all hostage remains, as stated by Israel. Hamas has indicated that this process will take time due to the extensive destruction in Gaza.

The initial phase of the ceasefire deal involves the release of Israeli hostages in return for the freedom of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The agreement also includes plans for the reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing body that excludes Hamas.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of approximately 69,000 people, predominantly women and children, and have injured over 170,600 others.