Hamas was set to hand over the bodies of four hostages late Wednesday night in exchange for Israel’s release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, just days before the first phase of the ceasefire between the warring parties was to expire. Israel has delayed the release of 600 Palestinians since Saturday to protest the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas.
Plans for the release were confirmed by Israel’s govt and Hamas’s military wing. Hamas said the bodies of Tsachi Idan, Itzhak Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi and Shlomo Mantzur would be released. PM Netanyahu’s office said the releasewould be carried out without a ceremony, in a quieter fashion than past Hamas releases.
The latest agreement would complete both sides’ obligations of the first phase of the ceasefire. With the 42-day truce due to expire Saturday, it remains unclear whether an extension will be agreed or whether negotiations can begin on a second stage of the deal.
The resolution came on the same day as the funeral of the Bibas family following the handover of the bodies of nine-month-old Kfir, his four-year-old brother Ariel and their mother Shiri last week. Thousands of people carrying blue and white Israeli flags or photos of the family, walked in procession or waited as a convoy bearing the coffins drove past. Many were carrying orange balloons, a symbol of mourning for the hostages, matching the red hair of the Bibas boys. Yarden, Shiri’s husband, paid tribute in an emotional eulogy at the funeral. “I hope you know I thought of you every day, every minute. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all,” he said. agencies