Israel has signalled is ready to acknowledge that 70,000 people have been killed in its war on Gaza. Officials from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reported the estimated death toll for the first time to multiple Israeli news outlets. The figure is almost identical to the 71,667 reported by the Gaza health ministry, which is run by Hamas.

A local health official said at least 26 people had been killed in the attacks, which the Israeli military said had targeted Hamas commanders.

It marks the last hostage-detainee exchange between Israel and Hamas carried out as part of the first phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire reached in October.

Rimas Abu Lehia was wounded five months ago when Israeli troops opened fire toward hungry Palestinians mobbing an aid truck for food in Gaza and a bullet shattered the 15-year-old girl's left knee. Israel has announced the crossing will open in both directions on Sunday.

Israel says its military is conducting a large-scale operation to locate the last hostage in Gaza. This comes as Washington and other mediators pressure Israel and Hamas to move into the next phase of their ceasefire.

Israel agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each hostage recovered, according to the ceasefire terms. It’s unclear if the bodies released Thursday were of Palestinian detainees who died in Israeli custody or bodies taken from Gaza by Israeli troops during the war.