By JULIA FRANKEL and SAMY MAGDY, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel received remains of what could be one of the last hostages in Gaza on Wednesday and said it will begin allowing Palestinians to leave the war-torn territory through a border crossing with Egypt.

The remains found by fighters in northern Gaza have been returned to Israel, where they will be examined by forensics experts. Remains fighters handed over on Tuesday did not match either of the last two hostages in Gaza.

The return of all the hostages taken on the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war is a key element of the first phase of the ceasefire that began in October . In exchange, Israel has been releasing Palestinian prisoners.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, the long-closed Rafah crossing is to be

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