Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli captives while it waited for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel in return, in an overnight exchange marking the final swap as part of a vulnerable truce in Gaza.The ceasefire came into impact on January 19 and has mostly held, despite many obstacles.
Its very first stage is due to end this week and the fate of its next stage, which aims to end the war, stays unclear.Hamas stated on Thursday that it was prepared to start talks on the 2nd phase, and that the only way staying hostages would be released is through commitment to the ceasefire.After days of impasse, Egyptian mediators on Wednesday protected the handover of the bodies of the last 4 hostages in the offers first stage, for 620 Palestinians either apprehended by Israeli forces in Gaza or imprisoned in Israel.Israel had actually declined to launch prisoners on Saturday after Hamas handed over six hostages in a staged ceremony.Hamas had actually been showing living captives and caskets carrying hostage remains on phase in front of a crowd in Gaza before handing them over, to sharp criticism including from the United Nations.The last handover did not consist of such a ceremony.Israel received caskets carrying the remains of the 4 hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus workplace stated in the early hours of Thursday.Hamas had previously identified the bodies as those of Tsachi Idan, Itzhak Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi and Shlomo Mantzur, all of whom were abducted during the October 7, 2023 attack from their kibbutz homes near Gaza.The bodies were going through preliminary recognition in Israeli territory and main notification would be given to the captives families once the procedure is complete, Netanyahus office stated in a statement.The handover contract had actually likewise been held up formerly after Hamas handed over the remains of an unidentified Palestinian woman instead of Shiri Bibas, before providing the right body the next day.The unidentified females body was sent out back to a Gaza health center on Thursday, medics said.A complete forensic examination to identify cause of death for the last 4 bodies returned to Israel will come later, according to the Israeli health ministry.Freed Palestinian DetaineesThe Palestinian detainees due to be released include 445 guys and 24 ladies and minors apprehended in Gaza, as well as 151 detainees serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis, according to a Hamas source.A bus carrying a handful of the launched Palestinian prisoners left Israels Ofer jail in the occupied West Bank and shown up in the Palestinian city of Ramallah shortly after, live footage showed.The group got off the bus to cheers from hundreds gathered together outside, with some of the launched males - dressed in green jackets and keffiyehs - raised aloft by the crowd.Released detainee Bilal Yassin, 42, told Reuters he had been in Israeli detention for 20 years.
The West Bank local stated he had actually dealt with injustice and bad conditions the whole time.Our sacrifices and imprisonment were not in vain, Yassin said.
We believed in the (Palestinian) resistance.Nearly 100 more Palestinian prisoners were handed over to Egypt, where they will stay up until another country accepts them, according to a Hamas source and Egyptian media.Ambulances later on got to the European Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, early on Thursday transporting released Palestinians, who are set to go through medical examination.In total, 580 detainees and detainees will be freed in Gaza, according to Hamas.
Buses accompanied by the Red Cross are anticipated to arrive in coming hours.The very first phase of the ceasefire included the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages in overall for around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and detainees, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some positions in Gaza in addition to an influx of aid.But with the 42-day truce due to end on Saturday, it stays uncertain whether an extension that could see more of the 59 staying hostages go free will occur or whether settlements can start on a 2nd stage of the deal.Source: Reuters-- Agencies