An exchange of hostages’ remains and martyrs’ bodies began Tuesday evening between Hamas and the Israeli occupation, marking the first stage of an agreement brokered by Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and Turkey.

Sources in Gaza said 45 martyrs’ bodies were returned to the Strip and transferred to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, while Hamas is set to deliver the remains of 4 Israeli hostages later in the day.

Meanwhile, the occupation informed the UN that it will allow only 300 aid trucks into Gaza starting Wednesday, excluding fuel and gas except for essential humanitarian use, as “pressure” on Hamas to release more remains.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said the operation “will take time” due to the difficulty of recovering remains from under Gaza’s rubble.