Israel has identified the bodies of four hostages handed over by Hamas in an Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange, concluding forensic tests on Thursday. The Red Cross received the coffins from Hamas on Wednesday night, facilitating the trade for over 600 Palestinian prisoners.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Hamas gave the bodies of 86-year-old Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, 50, Tsachi Idan, who was 50, and Itzik Elgarat, 69. Officials informed the families about the identifications, stating that the men were either killed in captivity or taken dead in Gaza.
The Israeli government conducted forensic testing near the Gaza border before transferring the remains to the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv. This process followed a previous mistake when Hamas initially returned a Palestinian woman’s body instead of the Israeli hostage Bibas.
Hamas corrected the error by delivering Bibas’s remains the next day. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum criticized the Israeli government, arguing that an earlier agreement could have saved the three men who died in captivity.
They urged Netanyahu to prioritize the release of the 59 remaining hostages, including 35 believed dead. After the handover, Israel released 642 Palestinian prisoners, including 445 detained without charges during the war.
Buses transported them to Ramallah, where large crowds gathered to celebrate. Released detainees described inhumane conditions in Israeli custody, including months of blindfolded confinement and severe restrictions on movement.
Israel had delayed the prisoner releases since Saturday, protesting Hamas’s alleged use of Hostages as propaganda. Egypt mediated the renewed exchange, ensuring Hamas transferred the bodies privately to prevent further delays.
Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire deal, which includes the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza, remain stalled. Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire and expressed readiness for further talks.
However, Israeli leaders face pressure to resume military operations. The future of the Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange remains uncertain as both sides weigh their next move.
