Hamas’ armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, announced it would hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including three members of the Bibas family and 84-year-old journalist Oded Lifshitz.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “shocking day of sorrow” for Israel. The Bibas family was kidnapped from Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, with the father, Yarden Bibas, released in February. Hamas claims the hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes.
As part of a ceasefire agreement, Israel is expected to release Palestinian women and minors from its prisons in exchange for the return of the bodies.
Source: CGTN