Hamas Transfers Bodies of Four Hostages, Including Two Young Children
The transfer marks a significant development in the ongoing hostage situation following the October 2023 attack.
Hamas announced on February 20, 2024, that it will hand over the bodies of four hostages, including a mother and her two young children, to Israeli authorities.
The younger child was nine months old while the sibling was four years old at the time of their kidnapping during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack.
Hamas claims that Kfir and Ariel, along with their mother Shiri Bibas, died in an Israeli airstrike, a claim that has not been independently verified by Israeli authorities.
According to the BBC, the children's father, Yarden, was released earlier in the month and is currently alive.
Family members were aware that the bodies of three relatives would soon be returned, but reportedly had not received official notification of this development.
A family statement indicated, "Until we receive final confirmation, our journey is not over." An Israeli official noted that the deceased hostages would be identified before their identities are publicly disclosed.
In addition to the four bodies, Hamas has stated it will also release six living hostages in exchange for Israel's agreement to release all women and minors under the age of 19 who have been detained since October 2023. Furthermore, Israel plans to allow the entry of some equipment necessary for debris removal into Gaza across the Egyptian border.
Previously, Hamas consented to release 33 Israeli hostages during the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, in return for Israel freeing approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Negotiations for a potential second phase of the ceasefire were supposed to commence earlier in February but have not yet taken place.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that discussions might begin later this week.
He stated that Israel "will not accept the continued presence of Hamas or any other terrorist organization in Gaza," though the ceasefire could be extended if negotiations are fruitful.
Hamas seized approximately 251 hostages during its assault on Israel on October 7, which resulted in roughly 1,200 deaths.
As of now, the BBC reports that there are still about 73 hostages held in Gaza, including both soldiers and civilians, with some having lost their lives while in captivity.
The younger child was nine months old while the sibling was four years old at the time of their kidnapping during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack.
Hamas claims that Kfir and Ariel, along with their mother Shiri Bibas, died in an Israeli airstrike, a claim that has not been independently verified by Israeli authorities.
According to the BBC, the children's father, Yarden, was released earlier in the month and is currently alive.
Family members were aware that the bodies of three relatives would soon be returned, but reportedly had not received official notification of this development.
A family statement indicated, "Until we receive final confirmation, our journey is not over." An Israeli official noted that the deceased hostages would be identified before their identities are publicly disclosed.
In addition to the four bodies, Hamas has stated it will also release six living hostages in exchange for Israel's agreement to release all women and minors under the age of 19 who have been detained since October 2023. Furthermore, Israel plans to allow the entry of some equipment necessary for debris removal into Gaza across the Egyptian border.
Previously, Hamas consented to release 33 Israeli hostages during the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, in return for Israel freeing approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Negotiations for a potential second phase of the ceasefire were supposed to commence earlier in February but have not yet taken place.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that discussions might begin later this week.
He stated that Israel "will not accept the continued presence of Hamas or any other terrorist organization in Gaza," though the ceasefire could be extended if negotiations are fruitful.
Hamas seized approximately 251 hostages during its assault on Israel on October 7, which resulted in roughly 1,200 deaths.
As of now, the BBC reports that there are still about 73 hostages held in Gaza, including both soldiers and civilians, with some having lost their lives while in captivity.
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