Hamas Delivers Bodies of Israeli Hostages to Mediators

Hamas has delivered the bodies of four Israeli hostages to mediators. It has been reported that Israel will, in return, release 625 Palestinian prisoners. The release was initially scheduled for last Saturday but was postponed.

According to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the names of the deceased will be officially confirmed only after the Israeli forensic examination. The first group of prisoners released by Israel has already been transferred to Ramallah in the West Bank.

Israel has stated that despite Hamas's announcements regarding a simultaneous exchange, the Palestinian prisoners will only be handed over after the bodies of the four Israelis are identified, which may take several hours.