Israel returned 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza on Jan. 29, 2026, completing the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Israel completed the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire by returning 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza on January 29, 2026, marking the final exchange under the deal. The transfer, facilitated by the ICRC, followed the identification of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage, whose remains were found in northern Gaza. Since October 2023, Israel has released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and handed over 360 Palestinian bodies, though only about 100 have been identified. Despite the progress, Israeli strikes killed at least three Palestinians on the same day, raising the death toll since the ceasefire began to nearly 500. The next phase, involving an international security force and rebuilding, has started but faces ongoing challenges.