Israel anticipates return of two captives' bodies, local media reports

Israel had received initial indications that Hamas might hand over the bodies of two captives this afternoon, Israeli Channel 12 reported. 

Egypt on Monday sent over a dozen engineering vehicles into Gaza via the Kerem Abu Salem crossing to assist with the recovery of the bodies of the remaining 13 Israeli captives, Al-Araby is reporting, citing an Egyptian official.

The official said that the move was part of "ongoing Egyptian-Israeli coordination to facilitate search and rescue operations in areas that witnessed heavy fighting in recent weeks".

Israeli media reported that the entry of the vehicles was "officially approved by the Israeli army" and conducted under "joint technical supervision".

Gaza's Civil Defence has slammed the "double standards" of these efforts, given emergency teams lack the necessary equipment to recover the bodies of some 10,000 Palestinians who remain trapped beneath the rubble.