Israel returns 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza

Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinian prisoners under the ceasefire exchange deal, the health ministry in Gaza said.

"The Ministry of Health announces the receipt of 15 bodies of martyrs released today by the Israeli occupation via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bringing the total number of bodies received to 345," the ministry said in a statement.

The ceasefire deal requires Israel to return the bodies of 15 Palestinians for every deceased Israeli returned.

The 15 bodies returned on Wednesday were in exchange for the remains of Dror Or, one of the last three deceased captives held in Gaza. 

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the handover "reflects Hamas's steadfast commitment to fully complete the exchange process and its ongoing efforts to finalise it despite significant difficulties."