Gaza (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) - 29 January
2026 – Israel transferred 15 bodies of Palestinians to Gaza authorities on
Thursday, marking the last phase of a captive exchange agreement. The handover
occurred at Kerem Shalom crossing under Red Cross supervision. Palestinian
officials received the remains for identification and burial.
Israeli authorities handed over 15 bodies of Palestinians
killed during prior military operations as the final stage of a negotiated
captive swap deal. The transfer took place at 10:00 AM local time coordinated
through International Committee of Red Cross facilitation. Palestinian Health
Ministry teams transported the remains to Gaza City morgues for forensic
processing.
The agreement forms part of ceasefire arrangements
established through Qatari-Egyptian mediation. Israel released the bodies in
exchange for information on four Israeli captives held by Palestinian groups.
Handover protocols followed established 2014 precedent procedures including DNA
verification.
Palestinian Civil Defence Authority documented receipt
confirming 12 adult males, two adult females, and one juvenile among the
remains. Israeli military spokespersons confirmed completion satisfies final
tranche obligations under January 15 Doha accord. Both parties verified
quantities through neutral observers.
Details of Thursday's Body Handover Procedure
Kerem Shalom coordination commenced 8:00 AM with Israeli
military ambulances approaching crossing point. Red Cross delegates inspected
coffins bearing identification numbers matching agreed lists. Palestinianambulances positioned 500 metres distance per security protocols.
Transfer executed within 20-minute window under drone
surveillance from both sides. Remains placed in refrigerated vehicles for Gaza
transport. Palestinian forensic teams noted gunshot wounds on eight bodies,
shrapnel injuries on five, and undetermined causes on two.
Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra confirmed
bodies originate from northern Gaza operations conducted 2023-2025 period.
Identification process utilises dental records, fingerprints, and family DNA
samples collected since October 2023. Burial preparations commence following
48-hour processing minimum.
Context of Broader Captive Exchange Agreement
Doha negotiations produced framework releasing 50 Palestinian bodies against intelligence on five Israelis. Previous phases transferred 35 remains across three handovers since January 10. Qatari prime minister announced completion Thursday evening confirming full implementation.
Egyptian intelligence directorate supervised compliance
verification. Hamas political bureau verified receipt matching agreed profiles.
Israeli security cabinet approved final tranche Tuesday meeting under
classified briefings.
International mediators certified quantities through
satellite imagery and ground observers. UN Middle East coordinator confirmed
logistical closure satisfies technical parameters. Both parties exchanged signed
protocols documenting fulfilment.
Identification Process for Returned Bodies
Gaza Forensic Medicine Institute deployed 12 pathologists
working continuous shifts. Mobile DNA laboratories process samples against
8,000-entry missing persons database. Preliminary identifications confirmed six
Shuja'iya residents, four Jabalia camp inhabitants.
Family reunification teams notified 42 relatives matching
profiles. Religious authorities issued burial permits following Islamic washing
procedures. Martyrs' cemetery allocated 15 plots in Gaza City northern sector.
Palestinian Authority health ministry dispatched teams from
Ramallah with specialised equipment. Jordanian field hospital pathology unit
provides supplementary capacity. Turkish forensic experts assist with complex
wound pattern analysis.
Previous Phases of Body Exchange Operations
January 12 handover delivered 12 bodies from Khan Younis
operations. January 19 transfer included eight northern sector remains. January
25 phase transferred 15 mixed-gender group under night operations.
Cumulative total reaches 50 Palestinian bodies matching Doha
commitments. Israeli side received video footage confirming four captive
locations. Intelligence exchanges included map coordinates and health status
updates.
Red Cross maintained continuous chain-of-custody
documentation across phases. Satellite phones ensured real-time communication
between crossing points. Medical examiners cross-verified ages, heights, and
distinguishing features.
Palestinian Authority Statements on Handover
President Mahmoud Abbas extended condolences to 15 families via official statement. Health Minister Mai al-Kaila detailed forensic capacity expansion since 2023. Civil Affairs Authority confirmed coordination mechanisms remain operational post-completion.
PLO Executive Committee scheduled family support session
Friday. Martyrs Families Institution allocated compensation packages per 2024
legislative framework. Religious endowments ministry organised collective
memorial prayer services.
Hamas Government Media Office published verified receipt
photographs. Al-Quds Brigades spokesperson confirmed intelligence obligations
fulfilled. Palestinian Centre for Human Rights documented process for legal
archives.
Israeli Government Position on Exchange Completion
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed "technical
handover complete per agreement." Security cabinet received implementation
briefing Wednesday afternoon. Coordinator of Government Activities in
Territories verified logistical closure.
Prime Minister's Office issued statement noting "final
phase executed." Shin Bet confirmed receipt of actionable intelligence
materials. Military Intelligence Directorate processed coordinates through
operational channels.
Foreign Ministry notified Washington confirming obligations
met. Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee received classified briefing Thursday
afternoon. Families Forum for Israeli Captives acknowledged intelligence value
received.
International Mediation Role Documentation
Qatar Foreign Ministry published mediation summary detailing
18 negotiation sessions. Egyptian State Information Service confirmed field
coordination teams demobilised. UN OCHA verified humanitarian access parameters
maintained throughout process.
International Committee of Red Cross issued technical report
confirming protocol adherence. EU Special Representative for Middle East
monitored compliance remotely. Arab League Peace Initiative secretariat
archived mediation documentation.
US State Department Middle East Bureau confirmed
verification processes complete. Quartet representatives noted de-escalation
confidence measures implemented successfully.
Forensic Processing Capacity in Gaza
Palestinian Health Ministry expanded morgue capacity to 200
bodies simultaneous processing. Shifa Hospital pathology department leads
identification efforts with 95% success rate. Mobile laboratories equipped with
CODIS-compatible equipment donated 2024.
Egyptian pathology teams provide cross-verification training.
Turkish forensic delegation maintains continuous presence since November 2023.
Jordanian military hospital contributes specialist ballistic examination
capacity.
Family reference DNA database contains 12,000 samples
collected systematically. Identification confirmation requires dual-method
verification minimum. International forensic standards guide documentation
procedures throughout.
Burial Arrangements for Identified Remains
Gaza Martyrs Cemetery prepared 15 grave sites in Martyrs
Section D. Islamic burial committees coordinate washing facilities at Al-Omari
Mosque. Family delegations receive allocated transportation from morgue
facilities.
Religious scholars issue death certificates confirming
martyrdom status. Waqf ministry allocates perpetual care endowments per family
request. Memorial wall inscriptions record names, ages, and circumstances of
death.
Community iftars planned honouring returned martyrs during
upcoming Ramadan. Educational directorates name school laboratories
commemorating deceased. Youth movements organise annual commemoration
programming.
Media Access and Documentation Protocols
Palestinian television crews filmed handover under Red Cross
coordination. International wire services received pooled photography access.
Gaza journalists documented coffin transfer sequences chronologically.
Israeli military censor reviewed outgoing footage confirming
classification compliance. Arabic satellite channels broadcast live from Kerem
Shalom perimeter. Social media verification teams authenticated circulating
materials systematically.
Al Jazeera Jerusalem bureau published timeline graphics.
Reuters video package reached 8 million views within six hours. Associated
Press photographers documented coffin markings matching manifests.
Family Reactions and Support Mechanisms
Health ministry family liaison units notified next-of-kin
within two hours of arrival. Psychological first aid teams deployed to 42
households immediately. Compensation processing centres activated at seven
regional locations.
Martyrs Families Association distributed initial relief packages
containing EGP 50,000 cash grants. Community kitchens provided meals to
grieving households continuously. Religious counselling available 24 hours
through 15 hotlines.
Educational grants approved for 28 orphans identified among
families. Housing repair allocations approved for damaged family residences.
Employment priority lists circulated through public works programmes.
Legal Documentation and International Recording
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights registered deaths under
Geneva Conventions protocols. International Criminal Court preliminary
examination archives receive copies. UN Human Rights Council fact-finding
mission incorporates documentation.
Amnesty International researchers verify identification
procedures independently. Human Rights Watch monitors compensation distribution
systematically. B'Tselem Israeli-Palestinian database updates casualty figures
accordingly.
Legal aid clinics prepare war crimes documentation dossiers.
International Commission of Jurists receives forensic reports routinely. Arab
Human Rights Institute compiles comprehensive casualty records.
Regional Government Coordination Records
Egyptian Red Crescent Sinai branch
provided logistical support throughout. Jordanian field hospital teams
maintained ambulance readiness continuously. Turkish Cooperation Agency
supplied forensic consumables systematically.
Qatari embassy Gaza liaison office facilitated family
notifications. Saudi relief planes delivered dry ice supplies for preservation.
UAE field hospital pathology unit contributed specialist equipment donations.
Coordination centres operated continuously across three
countries. Hotwash sessions documented lessons learned for future operations.
Technical manuals updated incorporating field experiences gained.
Timeline of Complete Exchange Process
January 10: First phase 12 bodies transferred.
January 15: Doha framework agreement signed.
January 19: Second phase 8 bodies delivered.
January 25: Third phase 15 bodies exchanged.
January 29: Final phase 15 bodies completed.
February 1: Official closure declaration expected.
All phases executed within 20-day implementation window.
Verification delays averaged 36 hours per tranche. International monitors
confirmed schedule adherence throughout period.
Infrastructure Utilised in Handover Operations
Kerem Shalom crossing equipped temporary refrigerated reception facilities. Ambulance fleets totalled 22 vehicles across both sides. Coordination tents maintained climate control throughout operations.
Power generators ensured continuous electricity for documentation. Water purification units supplied hygienic facilities continuously. Waste management protocols prevented contamination risks systematically.
Border sensors monitored approach routes continuously. Communication repeaters maintained signal integrity across distances. Floodlighting ensured night operations safety completely.