The Israeli occupation authorities have confirmed receiving the bodies of 19 captives from the Gaza Strip, including that of U.S.-Israeli soldier Itay Chen, who was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades.

According to Israeli media, the remains were identified and transferred to the army following coordination with the ICRC. The occupation confirmed that Chen was the last American-Israeli hostage in Gaza.

The al-Qassam Brigades said the soldier’s body was recovered from the ruins of Gaza’s eastern Shuja’iyya neighborhood during ongoing search operations, which remain difficult due to the large-scale destruction caused by Israeli bombardments. The group stressed that the transfer was conducted under the supervision of the ICRC.

In recent days, Israel also retrieved the bodies of three other soldiers, including Colonel Asaf Hamami, reportedly the highest-ranking officer captured by Hamas.

With the latest handover, Israel has now received the remains of 19 out of 28 missing captives as part of the cease-fire agreement that took effect on October 10. The occupation authorities warned that they would not proceed to the second phase of the truce if the remaining bodies are not delivered.

Hamas, meanwhile, said the retrieval of the remaining bodies is taking longer due to the extensive destruction in Gaza.

The developments come as Israel continues its U.S.-backed military campaign, widely described by international observers as a “genocide in Gaza.” Since October 7, 2023, more than 68,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza health authorities.

The United Nations estimates that rebuilding Gaza will require at least $70 billion, with vast areas of the enclave reduced to rubble amid ongoing Israeli air and ground assaults.  (ILKHA)