GAZA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Gaza's health authorities said Tuesday that they received the bodies of 15 Palestinians from Israel via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bringing the total received since the ceasefire to 165.
Munir al-Bursh, director general of Gaza's health authorities, said medical teams would conduct examinations and complete documentation before returning the bodies to their families.
He added that the authorities are relying on rudimentary methods to identify the bodies, some of which show signs of "abuse, beatings, handcuffing, and blindfolding."
The Israeli army has not commented on this.
The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when a surprise attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. The ensuing Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed 68,229 people and injured another 170,369, according to Gaza's health authorities. Despite the ceasefire, 87 Gazans have been killed and 311 injured since Oct. 11, according to the health authorities.
Under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, which took effect on October 10, the first phase includes partial Israeli troop withdrawals, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and a significant increase in aid deliveries to Gaza. ■