News|Israel-Palestine conflictIsrael, Hamas return more bodies of captives under Gaza ceasefire dealHamas says it is meeting its side of the truce agreement while Israel refuses to open the crucial Rafah border crossing.

Exchange of Captives and Ceasefire Agreement

The exchange of remains between Israel and Hamas continues as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Recently, the bodies of two Israeli captives, Aryeh Zalmanovich, 85, and Master Sergeant Tamir Adar, 38, were returned to Israel. These were facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.

Under the ceasefire agreement, a total of 15 Israeli captives' remains have been returned, with an estimated 13 more expected. However, recovery efforts are reportedly hindered by ongoing control measures and infrastructure challenges in Gaza.

Israel has released approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and committed to returning the remains of 360 deceased individuals. Recently, the remains of 15 Palestinians killed in Israeli detention were returned to Gaza, with reports of physical abuse observed on some bodies.

Forensic teams involved have noted signs of physical abuse and possible execution on the returned bodies. Reports from the Bisan Center for Research and Development highlight issues surrounding the treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

Rafah Crossing and Humanitarian Concerns

There are ongoing concerns regarding the closure of the Rafah border crossing, which remains a critical humanitarian access point. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had previously ordered the reopening of the crossing, but it remains closed except for limited access through the Karem Abu Salem crossing.

Hamas officials, in discussions with Turkish counterparts, reiterated their commitment to the ceasefire agreement, urging Israel to open the Rafah crossing to facilitate humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.