Morning update

Good morning, Middle East Eye readers,

Here are the latest updates from Israel's war on Gaza:

• An aid ship called “The Goodness” has departed from Turkiye’s Mersin port, carrying 900 tons of food and baby formula for people in Gaza, according to the Anadolu Agency.

• Israel decided to proceed with opening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt and allowing the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza, after the return of the bodies of four captives, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday.

• The Times of Israel is reporting that Hamas has told mediators it is planning to return the bodies of four more Israeli captives later today.

• Despite the ceasefire, Israel has denied permission for most doctors who have asked to enter the territory to treat the sick and wounded, Al Jazeera reported, Dr Ahmed Mokhallati, a former head of plastic surgery at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, saying.

• Talks began on the second stage of the ceasefire, which involves Hamas' governance in Gaza, Haaretz reported, citing sources familiar with the ongoing discussions.

• Palestinian Information Centre is reporting that drones fly at low altitudes over the Shuja'iyya neighbourhood east of Gaza City, while the Israeli military fires artillery shells and gunfire.