Hamas Hands Over Dead Hostages to Red Cross Amid Gaza Ceasefire
In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four hostages to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. This exchange occurred early Thursday, just days before the first phase of the ceasefire was set to conclude, and was in exchange for Israel’s release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The Hostage Transfer and Prisoner Release
An Israeli security official confirmed that the bodies of the hostages were handed over to the Red Cross. The transfer was facilitated by Egyptian mediators and took place at an Israeli crossing point. An identification process has since begun to confirm the identities of the deceased.
Simultaneously, a Red Cross convoy transported several dozen released Palestinian prisoners from Israel’s Ofer prison to the West Bank town of Beitunia. The arrival of the bus was met with jubilation as hundreds of well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the freed prisoners. Emotional scenes unfolded as friends and family members embraced the released individuals, capturing the moment with photographs. One man, lifted on the shoulders of supporters, made a victory sign as the crowd chanted “God is Great.” Some of the released prisoners, wearing Israeli Prison Service T-shirts, symbolically took them off and set them on fire.
Later, buses carrying hundreds of other Palestinian prisoners arrived in Khan Younis, Gaza. Some of the men kissed the ground upon exiting the buses, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.
Delays and Ceasefire Challenges
Israel had delayed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday, protesting what it described as the cruel treatment of hostages during their handover by Hamas. The militant group condemned the delay as a “serious violation” of the ceasefire, asserting that talks on a second phase would not be possible until the prisoners were freed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the latest release of hostages’ bodies would be conducted without ceremony, contrasting with previous Hamas releases that involved stage-managed events in front of crowds. Both Israel and international organizations, including the Red Cross and the U.N., have criticized these ceremonies as humiliating for the hostages.
Among those scheduled for release from Israel were hundreds of detainees from Gaza, arrested on suspicion of militancy following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. These detainees, including 445 men, 21 teenagers, and one woman, had been held without charge for months.
In this round, only around 50 Palestinians were released into the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem. Additionally, dozens sentenced to life for deadly attacks against Israelis will be exiled out of the Palestinian territories and temporarily relocated to Egypt until other countries accept them.
Completing the First Phase of the Ceasefire
The latest handovers mark the completion of both sides’ obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire. During this period, Hamas returned 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The family of one of the hostages in Gaza was informed of his death, and his body was among those returned to Israel. Tsachi Idan, taken from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, was one of the victims. His eldest daughter, Maayan, was killed during the attack, and Hamas militants broadcast their hostage situation on Facebook, showing the family’s ordeal as two younger children pleaded for release.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with the family of Israeli-French hostage Ohad Yahalomi, whose body was also expected to be released, stating on X, “In these suspended hours of pain and anguish, the nation stands by their side.”
A Fragile Ceasefire in Peril
As the six-week first phase of the ceasefire nears its end this weekend, tensions remain high. U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has urged both sides to move into negotiations for the second phase, which would involve the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and discussions to end the war.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, ended 15 months of conflict that began after Hamas’ 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of approximately 250 individuals.
Israel’s military offensive has led to the deaths of more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials, who do not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties but report that over half of the deceased were women and children. The conflict has displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s population and severely damaged the territory’s infrastructure and health system.
The Tragic Loss of the Bibas Family
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered along highways to mourn the deaths of Shiri Bibas and her sons, Kfir and Ariel, who were killed in captivity in Gaza. Their bodies were handed over earlier this month, and forensic evidence suggests the children were killed by their captors in November 2023, though Hamas claims they died in an Israeli airstrike. Yarden Bibas, the husband and father, was abducted separately and released alive in a different handover. The family was laid to rest in a private ceremony near Kibbutz Nir Oz, close to where they lived before their abduction.
For more on the Bibas family tragedy, read Hamas to Return Bodies of Hostages, Including Bibas Family.
Another Infant Dies of Hypothermia in Gaza
Amidst the chilly weather and dire living conditions in Gaza, health officials reported the death of another infant due to hypothermia on Wednesday, bringing the total to seven over the past two weeks. Dr. Munir al-Boursh, director general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, attributed the death to the “severe cold wave” affecting the region. Nighttime temperatures have dropped below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit), exacerbating the already challenging situation for residents living in tent camps and damaged buildings.
Conclusion and Further Developments
The handover of the hostages’ bodies and the release of Palestinian prisoners represent critical steps in the ongoing ceasefire efforts in Gaza. As the first phase nears its end, the focus shifts to the potential for a second phase and the broader implications for peace in the region.
For more on the Israel-Hamas tensions and ceasefire challenges, visit Israel and Hamas Tensions Rise Amid Ceasefire Challenges.
Stay updated with the latest developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict by following AP’s war coverage at AP News.
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This report was compiled using information from AP News.
