Hamas hands over remains of last Gaza hostages as Israel probes recovered ‘findings’ amid ongoing strikes

Palestinian militant group Hamas says it is handing over the remains of one of the two last hostage bodies still in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that its forces have received what it described as “findings” that would be taken into Israel for forensic testing.

The two remaining deceased hostages are Israeli police officer Ran Gvili and Thai citizen Sudthisak Rinthalak, both kidnapped during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

The Red Cross has acted as an intermediary between militant groups and Israel throughout the war triggered by Hamas’ attack, helping facilitate the release of hostages and handover of remains.

Earlier, an Israeli air strike killed a Palestinian man, whom local health authorities identified as freelance journalist Mahmoud Wadi, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

A senior Israeli military official told Reuters that Wadi had taken part in Hamas’ October 2023 attack, citing photos.

Reuters was not immediately able to independently verify the official’s account.

Another Palestinian journalist was wounded in the Israeli strike, Gaza authorities said.

Violence has reduced since an October 10 ceasefire, but Israel has continued to strike the Gaza Strip and conduct demolitions against what it says is Hamas infrastructure.

Hamas and Israel have traded blame for violating the US-backed agreement.

At least 357 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect, Gazan health authorities say.

Palestinian militants killed three Israeli soldiers in this time, Israeli authorities said.