Hamas has returned four dead hostages to the Red Cross in a deal that sees Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. This exchange occurred days before the ceasefire in Gaza was set to expire. Eyewitness reports from the West Bank's Beitunia described jubilant families greeting the freed prisoners, while Israel cited delays of over 600 Palestinian prisoners due to concerns over hostage treatment. Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated the return of bodies would lack the ceremonial nature typical of previous exchanges, suggesting an evolving dynamic in negotiations between the two sides.
Hamas handed over four dead hostages to the Red Cross, while Israel delayed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners to protest the treatment of hostages.
Israel confirmed the bodies were delivered with the help of Egyptian mediators, emphasizing that an identification process of the hostages had begun.
In a show of celebration, families and supporters greeted the released Palestinian prisoners in Beitunia, illustrating the emotional impact of the prisoner release.
Netanyahu's office stated that the latest return of hostages' bodies would proceed without ceremony, contrasting past highly-publicized ceremonies by Hamas.
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