Media: Emergency services recover 50 bodies in southern Gaza Amid ongoing ceasefire developments

Emergency services in the Gaza Strip have reported the discovery of the remains of 50 bodies near the southern city of Khan Younis, which were transferred to Nasser Hospital for identification.

This discovery follows the finding of additional bodies in Rafah, another city in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 20. According to the Hamas-run Gaza information office, at least 11,000 people remain missing across the territory, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

These grim developments come amid new details about the conditions endured by three women released on January 19 after being held hostage in Gaza.

According to a report from Israel's N12 television channel, the women—Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonen, and Emily Damari—were initially held together but were later separated. They were moved repeatedly between underground tunnels and above-ground locations, with one of the women testifying that she feared she would die in Gaza.

The women reportedly had some access to television during their captivity and were aware of their families’ efforts to secure their release. "We saw your fight; we heard our families battling for us," the women said in their testimonies.

Israel currently holds more than 10,300 Palestinian prisoners, while approximately 96 Israeli prisoners remain in Gaza, despite the release of three women on January 19 in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, primarily women and children. This exchange was part of a broader ceasefire agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza.

In a statement released by Nader Fakhouri from Hamas’s office for martyrs, injured, and prisoners, the second phase of the agreement is expected to begin on January 25, with the next prisoner exchange taking place on Sunday. Under the terms of the deal, the release of any female Israeli soldier will result in the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 20 prisoners with long-term sentences.

By Vafa Guliyeva