Hamas handed over 4 our bodies to the Crimson Cross in Gaza on Thursday, within the newest return of deceased hostages as a part of the group’s ceasefire take care of Israel.
Crimson Cross officers took custody of 4 black coffins throughout a ceremony within the southern Gaza metropolis of Khan Younis. A Crimson Cross official and a Hamas commander appeared on a stage to signal paperwork as a part of the handover. The coffins had been additionally introduced onto the stage.
A banner on the stage declared in each Arabic and English: “The Return of Conflict = The Return of Your Prisoners in Coffins.”
In a joint assertion, the Israel Protection Forces and Israel Safety Company mentioned that, “Based on data communicated by the Crimson Cross, 4 caskets of deceased hostages had been transferred to them, and they’re being taken to IDF and ISA forces within the Gaza Strip.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace launched an announcement confirming Israel’s receipt of the our bodies. “The households of the abductees have been knowledgeable and our hearts exit to them at this troublesome time,” the assertion mentioned.
“The general public is requested to respect the households’ privateness and chorus from spreading rumors and data that’s not official and well-founded,” it added.
A Palestinian militant stands close to coffins throughout the handover of deceased hostages in Khan Younis within the southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 20, 2025.
Ramadan Abed/Reuters
Israel and Hamas have confirmed the names of the 4 our bodies which can be set to be returned to Israel Thursday: Oded Lifshitz, a journalist and peace activist and Shiri Bibas and her two youngsters — Ariel and Kfir Bibas. As soon as the our bodies are again in Israel, the Israeli officers will conduct forensic evaluation to substantiate the identities of the our bodies.
In the course of the handover, Hamas launched an announcement that learn partially, “To the households of Bibas and Lifshitz: We might have most well-liked your sons to return to you alive, however your military and authorities leaders selected to kill them as an alternative of bringing them again.”
“They killed with them: 17,881 Palestinian youngsters, of their felony bombardment of the Gaza Strip, and we all know that you understand who is really answerable for their departure,” the assertion added. “You had been the sufferer of a management that doesn’t care about its youngsters.”
Kfir Bibas was 8 1/2 months previous when he was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 — the youngest of the 251 hostages taken on the day the group carried out its terror assault on Israel — the worst within the nation’s historical past. Within the ensuing struggle, greater than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.
This undated picture offered by Hostages Household Discussion board exhibits Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped and delivered to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.
Hostages Household Discussion board by way of AP
This undated picture offered by Hostages Household Discussion board exhibits Kfir Bibas, who was kidnapped and delivered to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.
Hostages Household Discussion board by way of AP
Oded Lifshitz’s spouse, Yocheved, was among the many first few hostages launched throughout the first ceasefire settlement in November 2023. Sixty-nine hostages stay in Gaza after Thursday’s launch.
“At this troublesome time, our hearts exit to the grieving households,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned in an announcement.
The Hostage Households Discussion board known as for the second stage of the three-stage ceasefire to proceed, saying there’s “no time to waste.” Within the second part of the ceasefire settlement — which ought to final 42 days — Israel is to fully withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip. Hamas and Israel additionally agreed to a everlasting cessation of all army operations and hostilities earlier than all remaining Israeli hostages, civilians and troopers are launched by Hamas in change for Palestinian prisoners.
This undated picture offered by Hostages Household Discussion board exhibits Ariel Bibas, who was kidnapped and delivered to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.
Hostages Household Discussion board by way of AP
This undated picture offered by Hostage’s Household Discussion board exhibits Israeli hostage Oded Lifshitz who was kidnapped and delivered to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.
Hostage’s Household Discussion board by way of AP
“We obtained the heart-shattering information that Shiri Bibas, her youngsters Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz are now not with us. This information cuts like a knife by way of our hearts, the households’ hearts and the hearts of individuals everywhere in the world,” the households of the hostages mentioned in an announcement Wednesday.
“We grieve not just for them, however for the opposite treasured lives misplaced, together with 4 extra deceased hostages who can be returned subsequent week,” households of hostages mentioned.
Six different hostages are anticipated to be launched on Saturday and 4 extra our bodies can be returned to Israel subsequent week. The hostages who can be launched on Saturday have been recognized as Eliya Cohen, 27; Tal Shoham, 40; Omer Shem Tov, 22; Omer Wenkrat, 23; Hisham Al-Sayed, 36; and Avera Mengistu, 39, in keeping with Israeli officers and the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board.
Members of the Nijim household hold laundry on the ruins of their home, amid widespread destruction attributable to the Israeli army’s floor and air offensive in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, on Feb. 18, 2025.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
Individuals stroll amid the destruction attributable to the Israeli air and floor offensive in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, on Feb. 18, 2025.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
Negotiations to set the phrases for the second part of the ceasefire haven’t began, however mediators are pushing to have talks start as quickly as attainable to permit sufficient time for dialogue earlier than the second part is anticipated to start (the primary part is anticipated to final 42 days), Qatar’s international ministry mentioned on Tuesday. Hamas has accused Israel of avoiding negotiations and says it is prepared to barter.
Final week, Hamas threatened to not launch hostages over the weekend, saying Israel was not holding up its finish of the ceasefire by delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
Hamas later mentioned the change would happen as deliberate and released three hostages this previous Saturday.
