In a significant exchange, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross as part of a ceasefire agreement, in return for the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has transferred the corpses of four Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today, under the terms of a ceasefire agreement following the recent Gaza conflict. In return, Israel has agreed to release over 600 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails.
The bodies of the four hostages were handed over to the Red Cross without ceremony, responding to Israeli demands for a no-ceremony exchange. The hostages’ identities will be confirmed through DNA testing. A bus carrying the freed Palestinian prisoners has already reached the West Bank, with reports indicating that more than 40 Palestinians were aboard, though the exact number remains unconfirmed. According to Reuters, Israel has now transferred nearly 97 Palestinian prisoners to Egypt.
Liberty News’ international correspondent reported that the Red Cross vehicles were seen transporting the hostages’ remains to Israel, and images show a convoy with Red Cross branding and flags, marking the transfer route.
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