Israel returns 54 Palestinian bodies

The occupying country has returned the bodies of 54 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons and dozens of boxes containing human remains. The bodies were handed over to Gaza through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Turkey’s state-owned International News Agency reported on Thursday (February 5). Earlier, in a statement on Wednesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said that the 54 bodies and 66 boxes containing human remains arrived at the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza in a Red Cross vehicle.
The report said that as soon as the bodies arrived, the medical team began the forensic process following the approved medical protocol. Once this process is completed, the families of the deceased will have the opportunity to identify the bodies in accordance with established rules. The ministry said that the examination and registration process of the bodies is underway in coordination with the relevant authorities and a specialized committee. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials said the handover of the bodies came amid Israel’s continued violations of a phased ceasefire that took effect on October 10.
The US-brokered ceasefire agreement in January called for the withdrawal of additional Israeli troops from Gaza and the start of reconstruction efforts. According to the United Nations, the reconstruction of Gaza could cost an estimated $70 billion. Despite the ongoing US-brokered ceasefire, at least 21 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza early yesterday. According to medical sources, many more were injured in the brutal attack. The attacks targeted tents for displaced people, a house and a gathering of civilians. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said two people, including a paramedic, were killed and 12 others were wounded in the shooting in the area adjacent to 5th Street in the al-Mawasi area of ​​Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.