By Rania Abu Shamala
ISTANBUL (AA) – The Palestinian group Hamas is expected to hand over the remains of an Israeli hostage tonight under a Gaza ceasefire agreement, Israeli media said Monday.
According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, preparations are underway to receive the body around 9:00 pm local time (1900GMT) – roughly an hour before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for transferring the remains under the ceasefire deal.
There was no confirmation yet from Hamas.
The first phase of the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10 under Trump’s 20-point plan. Since then, Hamas has released 20 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 16 others. The remains of 12 hostages are still in the enclave.
The ceasefire plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.
Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza has killed over 68,500 people and injured more than 170,300 others since October 2023, according to Palestinian authorities.