But many Palestinians here noted that even if traces of poison were found, it would be impossible for forensics experts to identify any culprits. Others have noted that only Palestinians had direct access to Mr. Arafat before his death, broadening the focus of blame for any possible poisoning.

The area around the tomb had been cordoned off for two weeks as laborers carefully removed layers of stone and concrete, and the mausoleum was shielded from view with huge blue tarpaulin sheets. Officials said that the final steps began at dawn and that a Palestinian doctor took samples from the remains on the spot, handing them to assisting French, Swiss and Russian forensic teams.

The tomb was then reclosed with a modest military ceremony, and fresh wreaths were laid.

The minister of health of the Palestinian Authority, Dr. Hani Abdeen, offered few details, saying that the remains were “exactly in the state you would expect to find in a body that has been buried for eight years.”

Mr. Arafat became ill in October 2004 after being confined under an Israeli Army siege and virtual house arrest for more than two years in his Ramallah compound, as the violence of the second Palestinian intifada and the Israeli clampdown seethed. He was flown by helicopter out of his headquarters and transferred to a military hospital in Paris. When he died about two weeks later, no cause was announced.

Records eventually emerged showing that he had died of a stroke that resulted from a bleeding disorder caused by an underlying infection. The infection was never identified. The hospital found no traces of poisons it had tested for.