Hamas frees all Israeli hostages and returns bodies of four victims
Photo: Hamas must return the remains of 24 more Israeli hostages (Getty Images)
Hamas has released all 20 Israeli hostages who were captured during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. In addition, the militants handed over four coffins containing the remains of the deceased, according to Reuters and The Times of Israel.
Reuters reports that the Israeli army confirmed receiving all 20 hostages, who are alive and were brought to the Gaza Strip by the Red Cross.
According to The Times of Israel, Israel received four coffins with the remains of deceased Israelis. The bodies will be taken to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for identification, which will take up to two days.
Hamas earlier claimed it was returning the bodies of Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi, and IDF officer Captain Daniel Perez. However, Israel has not confirmed this information.
The militants must return the remains of 24 more Israeli hostages. They stated they need more time to locate the bodies, but Israel does not believe this and accuses Hamas of stalling.
As part of the peace deal, Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Gaza peace agreement
US President Donald Trump recently presented a plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. It includes 20 points and envisions the creation of an international Peace Council.
On October 6, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas began in Egypt, with mediators from Egypt, the United States, and Qatar.
Israel approved the first stage of the deal, which provides for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
According to the agreement, Israel will partially withdraw its troops, Hamas will then have 72 hours to release all Israeli hostages, and Netanyahu will release Palestinian detainees.
Today, October 13, US President Donald Trump and three Middle Eastern leaders signed a peace agreement on the Gaza Strip.
