Israel Set to Receive Bodies of Four Hostages on Thursday, According to Security Official
Israel is set to receive the remains of four hostages from Gaza on Thursday and is arranging to bring back six living captives on Saturday, according to an Israeli security official.
Should both handovers be successful, only four hostages, all believed to be deceased, would remain in Gaza out of the 33 slated for release in the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement established last month to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The ceasefire agreement, facilitated by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, has stayed on course despite several temporary setbacks and mutual accusations of breaches that have threatened its continuation.
Damaged buildings seen in Khan Younis
Hamas has alleged that Israel is obstructing the delivery of construction materials for the tens of thousands of Gazans who are seeking shelter from the winter weather amid the debris caused by 15 months of Israeli bombardment.
The official stated that Israel would utilize “any leverage” it possesses over Hamas to ensure the return of the 33 hostages slated to be released in the first phase of the agreement, which involves the release of Israeli captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
“Israel’s objective is to expedite the release of the first phase hostages, particularly the living ones,” he remarked during an interview with public broadcaster Kan.
As of now, 19 Israeli hostages have been returned, along with five Thai nationals, who were released in an unscheduled transfer. Hamas has claimed that 25 of the 33 hostages expected to be released in the first phase are still alive.
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The ceasefire agreement has been complicated by US President Donald Trump’s proposal for Palestinians to be relocated and for Gaza to be developed as a waterfront area under US administration.
However, officials indicate that preparations have begun for the second phase of the agreement, which would deal with the return of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
An Israeli delegation has already traveled to Cairo, and the security cabinet has authorized a high-level Israeli team to visit Qatar for discussions regarding the second phase.
“We all want to move to phase two and release the hostages; the question is under what conditions the war will conclude,” Mr. Elkin stated.
“This is the central issue for the negotiations of the second phase.”
The hostages were captured during the Hamas-led cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, which also resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals in southern Israel, according to Israeli reports.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in Palestine, devastated much of the region, and displaced hundreds of thousands.
