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News brief

Israel identified remains of two more hostages.

Officials and families warned Hamas to hand over the bodies of those still held. Amid a fragile truce that paused the two-year war, Palestinians were awaiting a long-promised surge of aid into Gaza, and plans for an international force to deploy there were beginning to take shape. In exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees Monday. Since then, Hamas has returned 10 bodies, nine of which Israel’s military has identified as hostages. Israel said there were 28 total in Gaza before the exchange.

Associated Press - Oct. 16, 2025, 8:43 a.m. ET

With ceasefire and hostage deal, Gaza clears a hurdle. Taller ones remain.