Israel receives bodies of three captives, must return 45 Palestinians

Israel’s prime minister’s office has confirmed that the bodies of three deceased Israeli captives have been handed over via the Red Cross and returned to Israel.

It said the victims’ families have been informed and that they will be honoured in a military ceremony.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israel is required to return the bodies of 45 Palestinians held in its custody, 15 for each Israeli captive received.

While Israel insists on full military honours for its dead, it continues to withhold the remains of countless Palestinians, using them as bargaining chips in a policy long condemned by rights groups as a violation of international law and basic human dignity.