Hamas hands over bodies of 4 hostages as Israel releases Palestinian prisoners under ceasefire deal

The ceasefire deal, which came into effect on January 19, witnessed its final exchange overnight on Wednesday before the first phase of the deal ends this weekend.

By: Express Web Desk

February 27, 2025 05:41 AM IST

2 min read

Mourners gather around the convoy carrying the coffins of slain hostages Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, during their funeral procession in Rishon Lezion, Israel. The mother and her two children were abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and their remains were returned from Gaza to Israel last week as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. (AP Photo)

Continuing with the ceasefire agreement, Gaza based militant group Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross as Israel began to release over 600 Palestinian prisoners from Ofer jail in the occupied West Bank.

The ceasefire deal, which came into effect on January 19, witnessed its final exchange overnight on Wednesday before the first phase of the deal ends this weekend.

The future of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which aims to end the war between Israel and Hamas, remains unclear. Hamas informed that its delegation has not received any proposals from the parties involved in the fragile truce regarding the second phase.

Palestinian prisoners are greeted after being released from Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (AP Photo)

Hamas detailed the identities of the bodies of four Israeli hostages namely Shlomo Mansour, 86, Ohad Yahalomi, 50, Tsachi Idan, 50, and Itzik Elgarat, 69, according to BBC.

However, the Israeli counterparts are yet to give a confirmation on the identities of the deceased, who all were abducted by Hamas during its surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 which started the war.

Earlier, Israel had declined to release 620 Palestinian prisoners last week due to the “cruel treatment” of hostages while being released by the militant group.

Also Read | Exchange of Palestinian prisoners for dead Israeli hostages through ‘new mechanism’, date of exchange to be announced at right time: Hamas

Hamas had said that the delay in release of Palestinian prisoners is a “serious violation” of the ceasefire agreement and that the talks regarding the second phase of ceasefire agreement would be stalled if Palestinian prisoners are not released as per the deal.

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Israeli forensic teams were expected to confirm the identities of the four Israeli hostages bodies’ at the border with Gaza, according to the Israeli health ministry, reported Reuters.

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