Israel confirms Hamas returned bodies of three soldiers held hostage

Authorities identify the remains handed over on Sunday, bringing to eight the number of hostages' bodies still to be found in Gaza.

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Forensic tests showed the remains were those of Israeli soldiers Col Asaf Hamami, 40, Capt Omer Neutra, 21, and Staff Sgt Oz Daniel, 19, the prime minister's office said.

The confirmation means eight dead Israeli and foreign hostages are still in Gaza.

Under the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire deal with Israel that started more than three weeks ago, Hamas agreed to return all 20 living and 28 dead hostages it was holding.

Israel has accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the recovery of the dead hostages' bodies, while Hamas has insisted it is struggling to find them under rubble.