Hamas hands over remains of 2 more hostages

Israel disputes identity of a body in an earlier transfer. Gaza receives 45 more of deceased.

- By Sam MEtTz, Samy Maapy AND WAFAA SHURAFA

YOUSEF AL ZANOUN Associated Press A HAMAS member stands guard in Gaza City as the Red Cross arrives Tuesday to collect hostages' remains.

The Red Cross received the remains of two more Hamas hostages Wednesday, hours after the Israeli military said that one of the bodies previously handed over was not that of a hostage. The confusion added to tensions over the fragile truce that has paused the two-year war.

The Israeli military said the International Committee of the Red Cross received the remains, which were to be transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza.

Earlier Wednesday, military officials said one of the bodies previously handed over by the militant group Hamas was not that of a hostage who was held in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry said it received 45 more bodies of Palestinians from Israel, another step in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. That brings to 90 the total number of bodies returned to Gaza for burial. The forensics team examining the remains said they showed signs of mistreatment.

As part of the deal, four bodies of hostages were handed over by Hamas on Tuesday, following four on Monday that were returned hours after the last 20 living hostages were released from Gaza.

In all, Israel has been awaiting the return of the bodies of 28 hostages.

The Israeli military said forensic testing showed that “the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages.” There was no immediate word on whose body it was.

In exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees Monday.

Signs of abuse