Hamas hands over 4 dead bodies of hostages to Israel

Well-wishers greeted the released prisoners with hugs and photos. One man, raised on supporters’ shoulders, flashed a victory sign as the crowd cheered, chanting “God is great.”

Israel has delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners

They had postponed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday in protest of what it called the cruel treatment of hostages during their handover by Hamas.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday that they would release the bodies without a ceremony, unlike previous staged Hamas releases.

Israel, along with the Red Cross and U.N. officials, had criticized these ceremonies as humiliating for the hostages.

Plans are in motion to exchange the bodies of four Israeli hostages for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.

Israel plans to transfer detainees to two central jails until the hostages are freed, according to the prison service.

Red Cross representatives will then transport Palestinians to the West Bank and Gaza after receiving word from Israeli authorities.

Palestinian officials released lists showing 445 males, 21 teenagers, and one woman detained after the Hamas attack, without providing ages.

The family of an Israeli hostage says authorities will release his body.

The family of Tsachi Idan, a hostage held in Gaza, confirmed they were notified of his death. Hamas returned him as one of the four bodies on Wednesday.

Tsachi was alive when taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and his family had received signs of life, hoping for his release in earlier negotiations.

They are still awaiting confirmation, which will come after his arrival in Israel and necessary examinations by authorities.

The family stated, “Since Tsachi was kidnapped, we received several signs of life, and on the previous deal last November , Tsachi was alive and expected to be released. We are still waiting for the much-needed certainty, which we can only receive after his arrival in Israel and after all necessary examinations are conducted by the authorized state authorities.”

Hamas militants took Idan from Kibbutz Nahal Oz and killed his daughter, Maayan, by shooting through the saferoom door. They also broadcast a live video holding the Idan family hostage while his younger children begged for release.

The family didn’t specify who informed them of Idan’s death, though such notifications usually come from the Israeli military.