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By WAFAA SHURAFA, JULIA FRANKEL and SAMY MAGDY, Associated Press

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hospital officials in Gaza said Wednesday that Israel handed over 15 more Palestinian bodies, completing the latest swap of the ceasefire as the first phase of the agreement nears a conclusion and officials convened to discuss moving to the second.

It came a day after Palestinian militants returned the remains of Israeli hostage Dror Or, who the Israeli military says was killed by Hamas in their Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack. Israel has agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage returned.

With the latest swap, Israel has sent back to Gaza a total of 345 Palestinian bodies since the exchanges started last month, according to the Gaza H

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