HAMAS has expanded its search for bodies of hostages in Gaza, the group said today, a day after Egypt sent experts and heavy equipment to assist.

Under the ceasefire that began on October 10, Hamas is expected to return the remains of all Israeli hostages, while Israel has agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each Israeli.

Hamas has returned 15 bodies but none in the past five days, saying that efforts to retrieve remains face challenges because of the massive destruction.

The group’s chief in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, said it has started searching new areas for the bodies of the remaining 13 hostages.

Israel has handed over 195 Palestinian bodies, many unidentified, bound and blindfolded.

An Egyptian team with equipment including an excavator and bulldozers entered Gaza on Saturday as part of mediators’ efforts to shore up the ceasefire, two Egyptian officials said.

At least one Palestinian was killed and several were wounded in an attack on Nuseirat camp over the weekend, away from Israeli-occupied areas.

Hamas called the strike a “clear violation” of the truce, while Israel claimed it targeted militants associated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group who were planning to attack troops.

Islamic Jihad, the second largest militant group in Gaza, denied the allegation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military, saying pre-emptive action is necessary.

Aid agencies continue to report that humanitarian convoys still have limited access, leaving many Gazans hungry in another violation of the ceasefire deal.

Israel has withdrawn forces to the so-called “yellow line” but remains in control of over half the territory, approving each UN aid convoy.

Over 68,500 Palestinians have died in two years of attacks by Israel, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.