'Israel' receives captive's body from Hamas

• 'Israel' received a coffin believed to contain another captive’s body.
• Hamas says the remains were found in Khan Younis.
• The exchange is part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal.
• Identification and further repatriations remain ongoing.

'Israel' confirmed on Wednesday that it had received a coffin containing the body of another captive from Hamas.

According to a joint statement from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the body was discovered in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza. Red Cross vehicles later transported the coffin to 'Israeli' authorities.

The 'Israeli' Prime Minister’s office announced that the body would be transferred for a military reception and identification procedures. “Confirmation that it belongs to a hostage would mean 25 out of 28 deceased hostages have been handed over to Israel under the first phase of the current ceasefire deal,” the statement read.

Under the ongoing ceasefire agreement, part of a broader US-brokered plan to end the Gaza war, Hamas committed to returning 20 living hostages and 28 captives ones. All the surviving captives were released on October 13 in exchange for 250 Palestinian political prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.

For every deceased 'Israeli' captives returned, 'Israel' agreed to release the remains of 15 Palestinians. However, the lack of DNA testing facilities in Gaza has complicated the identification process.

The delays have hindered progress on the second phase of the US peace plan aimed at securing a lasting end to the conflict.