The Israeli military says the remains will be transferred to its forces in Gaza, who will take them to Israel for identification.

Israelis have celebrated the return of the last 20 living hostages held in Gaza, the first stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. But Hamas and Israel are now arguing over the

The handover followed Israel’s return on Friday of the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza. That completed an exchange after militants earlier this week turned over remains of two hostages, a sign that the tense Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement was edging forward.

Baruch, a talented chess player and anime fan, lived in Kibbutz Be’eri and had just returned from his big trip to South America before the October 7 massacre. The remains of slain hostage Sahar Baruch have been identified through forensic testing,