Hamas says it returned all recoverable captives as Israel blocks Rafah crossing

Hamas has announced it has returned all the deceased Israeli captives it was able to recover, as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The statement came as two more bodies were handed over to Israel late on Wednesday via the International Committee of the Red Cross.

In a statement, the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said it had fulfilled its commitments under the deal.

“The resistance has adhered to the agreement and handed over all the living captives it held, as well as the bodies it was able to access,” the group said.

It added that recovering the remaining bodies “requires significant effort and specialised equipment”.

“We are making great efforts to close this file,” the statement said.

The handover is part of a ceasefire agreement signed last week between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending the war on Gaza and exchanging prisoners and remains. 

Read more: Hamas says it returned all recoverable captives as Israel blocks Rafah crossing