Hamas has announced plans to return the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, in return for Israel’s release of hundreds of detained Palestinians. This exchange comes just before the initial phase of the ceasefire between the parties is set to conclude.
Israel has postponed the release of approximately 600 Palestinian detainees since Saturday, citing dissatisfaction with the treatment hostages received during their release by Hamas. The militant group has condemned this delay, labeling it as a “serious violation” of the ceasefire agreement and stating that discussions for a subsequent phase cannot happen until the prisoners are liberated.
A Hamas representative, Abdul Latif al-Qanou, stated that the bodies of the four Israelis would be transferred the following day.
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The latest developments:
Outside of Tel Aviv, Israel, highways were lined with tens of thousands of mourners, with some holding flags and banners reading “Forgive us” as the remains of an Israeli mother and her two children, killed in Gaza, were transported for burial.
Shiri Bibas, along with her children Ariel, age 4, and Kfir, just 9 months old, had been kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Although Hamas had previously released their bodies under a delicate ceasefire agreement, the incorrect body for Shiri Bibas was initially handed over.
While their father, Yarden Bibas, was abducted separately, he was released during the ceasefire last month. The burial for Shiri Bibas and her children was scheduled to take place at Kibbutz Nir Oz on Wednesday afternoon.
Hamas has attributed the deaths of these individuals to an Israeli airstrike in November 2023. However, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has refuted this claim, asserting that Ariel and Kfir Bibas were killed by their captors.
