The returnees reunited with families but also said their homecomings carried symbolic weight — defying any schemes to permanently displace Gazans.

Hamas called Saturday's strikes "a renewed flagrant violation" and urged the United States and other mediating countries to push Israel to stop the strikes.

Israel says the remains of the final hostage in Gaza have been recovered, clearing the way for the next phase of the ceasefire that stopped the Israel-Hamas war.

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.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel has completed the task of returning the hostages and will now focus on dismantling Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza.

Israel is marking the end of a painful chapter after the return of the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza.

Israel carried out its heaviest airstrikes in Gaza in weeks on Saturday, killing over two dozen people including three children in attacks on a police station, houses and tents, Palestinian health officials said.