Gaza, Feb 26 (V7N) – Hamas has handed over the bodies of four more Israeli hostages as part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement, Israeli authorities confirmed. This comes shortly after Israel released more than 600 Palestinian prisoners.

According to Al Jazeera, 620 Palestinian detainees were transported under heavy military guard to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank early Wednesday morning. Later that day, Hamas transferred the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross.

Israeli media reported that the four hostages whose bodies were handed over are:

  • Ohad Yahalomi
  • Sachi Idan
  • Itzik Elgarat
  • Solomon Mansour

Israeli Response

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the receipt of the coffins and stated that formal identification procedures have begun.

On Saturday, Hamas had released six Israeli hostages and four bodies under the same ceasefire deal. In return, Israel was supposed to release 620 Palestinian prisoners, but the release was suspended due to Israeli claims that Hamas had mistreated the hostages.

In response, Hamas demanded that Palestinian prisoners be released first, stating that they would only engage in further negotiations through mediators if Israel fulfilled its commitment.

This hostage-prisoner exchange highlights the fragile nature of ongoing ceasefire efforts, with both sides accusing each other of violating agreements.

END/RH/AJ