Hamas hands over bodies of four hostages; Israel frees Palestinian prisoners
In a new episode of the conflict in Gaza, Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages as part of an agreement with Israel that provided for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. This exchange took place in the midst of a fragile truce that, although in force since January 19, faces serious uncertainties about its continuity.
Israel confirmed receipt of the four bodies.
"Israel has received the coffins of four dead hostages from the Red Cross intermediary," the office said in a statement, adding that work has begun to identify the bodies.
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Body swapping for prisonersAfter days of stalled negotiations, Egyptian mediators have secured the release of the last four hostage bodies from the first phase of the deal. Hamas handed over the remains to the Red Cross without a ceremony, in contrast to previous occasions when live hostages and coffins were displayed in public, drawing international condemnation, including from the UN.
The hostages identified were Tsachi Idan, Itzhak Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi and Shlomo Mantzur, all kidnapped on 7 October 2023 from their homes near the Gaza Strip. The handover of the bodies follows an agreement in which Israel would release 620 Palestinians detained in Gaza or imprisoned on its territory.
Release of Palestinian prisonersAmong the detainees to be released are 445 men and 24 women and minors held in Gaza, as well as 151 prisoners sentenced to life in prison for deadly attacks against Israelis. A bus carrying some of the freed prisoners was seen leaving an Israeli prison in the West Bank bound for a hospital in Gaza, where they will be received, Hamas said.
The first phase of the truce included the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some positions in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid.
However, the 42-day truce is set to expire on Saturday, and there is no certainty about a possible extension that would allow for the release of the remaining 59 Israeli hostages. In addition, negotiations for a second phase of the agreement are on hold, leaving the future of the conflict uncertain.
With information from Reuters.
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