Israel confirms Hamas handed over hostages' bodies as Palestinian prisoners released

Israel has completed forensic identification and confirmed the identities of four deceased Israeli hostages whose remains were handed over by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. This transfer was the final exchange of the first six-week phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, with subsequent progress remaining unclear. The identification process was crucial for providing closure to the families of the deceased.

Hamas transferred four coffins from Gaza to the Red Cross on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, the Israeli Prime Minister confirmed that the coffins contained the remains of 86-year-old Shlomo Mansour, 50-year-old Ohad Yahalomi, 50-year-old Tzaqi Idan, and 69-year-old Itzik Elgarat, stating that all four had been killed. The confirmation brought a wave of grief and renewed calls for the release of remaining hostages.

Hamas stated that it is ready for indirect negotiations on the delayed start of the second phase, which aims to end the war and ensure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that he had instructed negotiators to depart for Cairo on Thursday for talks. Netanyahu is facing pressure from political allies who are demanding a resumption of fighting and the destruction of Hamas.

Following the confirmation of the identities of the received remains, the Israeli Prime Minister's office announced that military officials had informed the families of Mansour, Yahalomi, Idan, and Elgarat that their loved ones "had been killed and returned to Israel for burial." The statement also added, "According to intelligence and all the information we have, Ohad Yahalomi, Tzaqi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat were killed in Gaza while being held hostage," and that "Shlomo Mansour was killed in the massacre on October 7, 2023, and his body remained held in the Gaza Strip."

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the families of the hostages, insisted that Ohad Yahalomi, Tzaqi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat could have returned alive if the Israeli government had agreed to a ceasefire agreement sooner. "They should have come back alive; they could have been saved and brought back through an agreement." The forum urged Israeli leaders to ensure the return of the remaining 59 hostages (35 of whom are presumed dead) by early next week, warning that they "are running out of time."

Following the handover of the hostages' remains, buses carrying Palestinian prisoners were seen leaving Ofer Prison in the northern occupied West Bank before arriving in Ramallah, where large crowds gathered to celebrate their release. The Israeli military and prison service had previously stated that the treatment of detainees and prisoners complies with legal regulations. The Palestinian Prisoners Media Office stated that a total of 642 Palestinians in Israeli prisons were expected to be released in the exchange.

It remains unclear whether the ceasefire will be extended or progress to the planned second phase, which would involve the release of more Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages in Gaza. Hamas affirmed on Thursday that the organization is "fully committed to the ceasefire agreement" and "ready to enter into negotiations for the second phase." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters: "Our delegation will go to Cairo to see if we have a common basis for negotiation."