Hamas handed over the bodies of four hostages when Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners

Jerusalem – Hamas handed over four dead hostages to the Red Cross earlier Thursday in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israel, a few days before the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Hamas had handed over the body to the Red Cross, adding: “The initial identification process on Israeli territory has begun.”

Around the same time, a body was received on Wednesday and a Red Cross convoy with dozens of Palestinian prisoners left Israel’s Ofer Prison. A large number of cheering families, friends and supporters of Palestinian prisoners gathered in Beitunia to catch a glimpse of the bus on the way.

Israel Delayed release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners Since Saturday, protests against Hamas’ cruel treatment of hostages during the handover. Terrorist groups called the delay a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and said that talks were not possible in the second phase before the Palestinians were released. The deadlock threatens a ceasefire that collapses when the first phase of the current six weeks expires on Saturday. But Hamas said a deal had been reached to resolve disputes during the Cairo meeting.

Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday that the release of the body would be conducted without a ceremony, rather than the past Hamas’ stage-managed activities in front of the crowd. The ceremony in which Israel calls hostages along with the Red Cross and UN officials.

Hundreds of detainees who left Israel earlier Thursday were arrested from Gaza, suspected of armed forces and possession of hundreds of detainees after Hamas attacked Hamas on October 7, 2023. According to a list shared by Palestinian officials, which included 445 men, 21 teenagers and a woman, all arrested after the Hamas attack, the lists were not specified for age.

In this round, only about 50 Palestinians were released to the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Dozens of people, sentenced to life imprisonment for fatal attacks on Israel, will be exiled outside Palestinian territory, at least temporarily brought to Egypt until other countries accept it.

The handover will fulfill both sides’ obligations in the first phase of the ceasefire, during which Hamas sends back 33 hostages (including eight bodies) in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The Netanyahu office confirmed in a brief statement earlier Wednesday that the mediators had reached an agreement, adding: “Our four fallen hostages will return tonight as part of Phase A, and there is no Hamas ceremony under the agreed procedure.”

Before Thursday, Hamas released the Israeli hostages and dead bodies at a large public ceremony, during which the Israelis were marched and forced to wave to the crowd. Israel, along with the Red Cross and UN officials, said the ceremony was humiliating the hostages and Israel postponed the scheduled release of prisoners in protest last weekend.

The latest agreement will fulfill the obligation of the first phase of the ceasefire between the two sides, during which Hamas will return 33 hostages (including eight bodies) in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

This could also clear the roads that White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff might return to the area.

At a Tuesday event of the U.S. Jewish Commission in Washington, he said that the Israeli representative had already held talks in the next phase of the ceasefire agreement, and he repeated that he was also ready to return to the region.

“We are making a lot of progress. Israel is now sending a team,” Witkov said, adding that negotiations could be resumed in Cairo, the capital of Qatar, or Doha.

Witkoff said he hopes the two sides will negotiate in the second phase, during which all remaining hostages held by Hamas will be released and the war will end. The second phase of negotiations should have started a few weeks ago, but never started.

The ceasefire established by the United States, Egypt and Qatar ended a 15-month fierce battle. Hamas October 7, 2023, terrorist attackThe militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 people hostages.

According to Gaza Hamas-Ruining Health Ministry, Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, an estimated 90% of the population has been displaced and destroyed the region’s infrastructure and health systems. The Ministry of Health did not distinguish between civilians and armed casualties, but it said more than half of the dead were women and children.