Hamas handed over the coffins of four Israeli hostages early Thursday, a move confirmed by Israeli authorities, followed by the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank and Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the receipt of the remains of “four fallen hostages,” with formal identification processes underway. In the West Bank and Gaza, journalists from AFP witnessed the arrival of Palestinian prisoners on buses escorted by Red Cross vehicles.
More than 600 Palestinian prisoners were scheduled for release in this latest exchange, while nearly 100 were deported to Egypt, according to Al Jazeera. The release was initially set for last weekend but was delayed after Israel halted the process, objecting to the elaborate ceremonies Hamas conducted when returning hostages.
The exchange is part of the first phase of a fragile ceasefire deal that took effect on January 19 and is set to expire on Saturday. Hamas emphasized that Israel must now engage in negotiations for a second phase.
“We have cut off the path before the enemy’s false justifications, and it has no choice but to start negotiations for the second phase,” Hamas stated via Telegram.
Upon arrival in Ramallah, several freed Palestinians were celebrated, with some lifted onto the shoulders of friends and relatives. Women were seen in tears embracing released prisoners, while a child raised peace signs with both hands.
Earlier, Hamas ensured that the transfer of Israeli remains was conducted privately “to prevent the occupation from finding any pretext for delay or obstruction.” Israeli media identified the deceased as Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mansour.
The ceasefire has significantly reduced hostilities in the war that erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Thus far, 25 hostages have been released alive in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. However, sporadic violence continues. The Israeli military reported airstrikes on launch sites in Gaza following a projectile launch from the territory on Wednesday, though the munition failed to exit Palestinian-controlled areas.
Meanwhile, US officials confirmed that Israel has sent a delegation for further ceasefire negotiations. Steve Witkoff, a senior envoy to the Middle East, announced, “We’re making a lot of progress. Israel is sending a team right now as we speak. Negotiations will resume either in Doha or Cairo, with Egyptian and Qatari mediation.”
The emotional toll of the ongoing conflict remains profound. Thousands in Israel attended the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her two sons, who were killed in Hamas captivity. Their deaths, along with other victims of the October 7 attack, were commemorated with a minute of silence in the Israeli parliament. Israeli authorities report that the Hamas attack led to over 1,215 Israeli deaths, most of them civilians. In response, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 48,348 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza’s health ministry figures, which the UN considers credible.
At the funeral, Yarden Bibas, the father who was abducted separately on October 7 and later released, delivered a tearful eulogy. “Shiri, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all,” he said, his voice breaking.
As the ceasefire deadline nears, international efforts continue to broker a more lasting peace and prevent further bloodshed.
