By WAFAA SHURAFA and JULIA FRANKEL, Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH (AP) — Israel on Monday handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians, health officials in Gaza said, a day after Hamas returned the remains of three hostages. Israeli officials identified the three as soldiers who were killed in the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023 that triggered the war.

The exchange marked another step forward for the tenuous, U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the two-year war — the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and militant Hamas group.

Since the truce took effect on Oct. 10 , Palestinian militants have released the remains of 20 hostages, with eight now still remaining in Gaza.

For each hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians.

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