JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas said Wednesday it would hand over newly discovered remains of a hostage, as Israel announced plans to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza through the long-closed Rafah border crossing — signs that a U.S.-backed ceasefire is largely holding despite a setback over previously returned remains.
Hamas did not specify whose remains would be transferred. Only two hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, and the first phase of the ceasefire agreement is set to conclude once both are returned.
Under the deal, the Rafah crossing is to reopen for medical evacuations and limited travel. The World Health Organization estimates more than 16,500 sick and wounded Palestinians require urgent care outside Gaza. An Israeli official told The Associated Press the crossing would open only for Palestinians exiting the enclave, while Egypt maintains it will operate only if movement occurs in both directions.
The planned handover follows a snag Tuesday, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said forensic tests showed partial remains returned by militants did not belong to either of the two remaining hostages. Militants resumed searching and later reported finding another body in northern Gaza.
The remaining hostages are Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, killed after assisting evacuees from the Oct. 7 Nova music festival, and Thai agricultural worker Sudthisak Rinthalak, employed at hard-hit Kibbutz Be’eri. Thailand says 31 of its citizens were abducted during the attack — the largest foreign group taken — and most were freed during earlier ceasefires. Forty-six Thai nationals have been killed in the conflict.
Following hostage exchanges, the 20-point ceasefire plan outlines the creation of an international stabilization force, formation of a technocratic Palestinian government, and the disarmament of Hamas.
