Hamas hands over Israeli bodies as Palestinian prisoners released
Released Palestinian prisoners accompanied by teams from the International Red Cross, arrive in Gaza City, Gaza on February 27, 2025 (AA Photo)
Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages early Thursday, while Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank and Gaza in the latest phase of a cease-fire agreement.
Israeli authorities confirmed receiving the coffins of “four fallen hostages” and stated that formal identification was underway. The bodies were identified as Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mansour, according to Israeli media.
Exchange under fragile cease-fire
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, previously detained by Israel, arrived in the West Bank and Gaza on buses accompanied by Red Cross vehicles. More than 600 were expected to be released, with nearly 100 set to be deported to Egypt, Al Jazeera reported.
This release had been delayed since last weekend after Israel halted the process, citing Hamas’ elaborate ceremonies for previous hostage handovers as a provocation.
The dispute had threatened the initial phase of a cease-fire deal that began on Jan. 19 and is set to expire on Saturday.
Hamas calls for next round of negotiations
Following the exchange, Hamas said Israel must begin negotiations for a second phase of the cease-fire agreement.
“We have cut off the path before the enemy’s false justifications, and it has no choice but to start negotiations for the second phase,” the group stated on Telegram.
Several Palestinian prisoners released in Ramallah were carried on the shoulders of supporters, while others conducted interviews upon arrival. Family members embraced their loved ones, and a child made peace signs while being lifted into the air.
Tensions amid cease-fire
On Wednesday, the Israeli military launched airstrikes on several locations inside Gaza after a projectile fired from the Palestinian territory fell short.
In Washington, a senior U.S. official said Israeli representatives were traveling for cease-fire talks. “We’re making a lot of progress. Israel is sending a team right now,” said Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East.
Talks are expected to take place in either Doha or Cairo.
Israel mourns hostage deaths
Thousands attended the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her two sons in Israel on Wednesday.
“Yesterday, the funeral of Oded Lifshitz took place; today, the funeral of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas is taking place. We remember all the victims of October 7. We remember, and we will not forget,” said Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.
Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas following the attack, which killed more than 1,215 people, Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 48,348 people in Gaza with most of them being civilians.
Calls for further cease-fire talks
Hamas said the body handover was conducted privately to prevent any delays or obstructions from Israel.
“We imposed the synchronization of the process of handing over the bodies of the enemy prisoners with the release of our heroic prisoners,” Hamas stated.
