ISLAMAbAD
Israel returned the bodies of 45 Palestinians to Gaza, bringing the total number handed over under the ceasefire deal to 270, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said. Under a ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, Israel was to turn over the bodies of 15 Palestinians for every deceased Israeli returned.
Israel confirmed on Monday that remains handed over by Hamas the day before belonged to three hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 attack — Captain Omer Neutra, Corporal Oz Daniel, and Colonel Assaf Hamami. Hamas is “determined” to stick to the Gaza truce, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan said, adding it was crucial that Muslim nations play a leading role in the Palestinian territory’s reconstruction.
“It seems that Hamas is quite determined to adhere to the agreement,” Erdogan told delegates from the Organisation of Islamic States (OIC) gathered in Istanbul for their annual COMCEC economic cooperation summit. “At this point, we need to deliver more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and then begin reconstruction efforts.
“The Israeli government is doing everything in its power to prevent this,” Erdogan said. “We believe the reconstruction plan prepared by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should be implemented immediately,” he said.
