Israel returns body of Palestinian killed in Gaza

Israel on Tuesday returned the body of Bilal Yousef al-Saayed to Gaza, three days after he was shot dead by Israeli forces, medics said. Palestinian medics received al-Saayed's body at the Erez crossing, emergency services spokesman Adham Abu Salmiya told Ma'an. The International Committee of the Red Cross coordinated the transfer of the body, which was taken to the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, he added. A forensic examination revealed al-Saayed was shot in the upper part of his body. He had suffered injuries to his face, neck and chest, Abu Salmiya said. The body was later taken to the Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah to be returned to al-Saayed's family. Israeli forces took al-Saayed's remains on Sunday after shooting him after dark Saturday in Gaza near the border with Israel, the military said in a statement. Soldiers suspected the 20-year-old man of trying to plant explosives, the army said, adding that the body was recovered with an AK-47 rifle. No factions in Gaza claimed responsibility for the alleged incident.