Israel returns bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza after receiving remains of Itay Chen

Hospital officials in Gaza say they have received the bodies of 15 Palestinians from Israel, following the return last night from Gaza of the remains of IDF Staff Sgt. Itay Chen.

The announcement, made by officials at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, brings the number of Palestinian bodies returned to Gaza over the past month to 285, in exchange for the remains of 19 Israelis returned by Hamas to Israel. Hamas also turned over the bodies of two foreign nationals, one from Thailand and another from Nepal.

For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians. Fewer than half have been identified, Gazan officials say. Forensic work is complicated by a lack of DNA testing kits in Gaza. The Health Ministry there posts photos of the remains online, in the hope that families will recognize them.