Hamas transferred the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including members of the Bibas family, who have become symbols of the ongoing crisis since the Gaza war began.
This marks the first time Hamas has returned bodies since its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the conflict.
The handover occurred under a fragile ceasefire that has facilitated hostage-prisoner exchanges between both sides.
The bodies of Shiri Bibas, her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, and 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz were returned during a ceremony in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
Before the transfer, Hamas displayed four black coffins on a stage, accompanied by banners critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Armed militants were present, and each casket bore a photograph of the deceased.
The handover was coordinated with the Red Cross, and the bodies were later received by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency.
The Israeli Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv has mobilized experts to confirm the identities.
The Bibas family’s capture, widely publicized in Hamas-released footage, deeply affected Israel. While Hamas claims an Israeli airstrike killed them, Israel has not confirmed the cause of their deaths.
The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has led to the release of 19 Israeli hostages in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.
Under its first phase, eight of the 14 remaining hostages eligible for release are believed to be dead.
Israel and Hamas recently agreed on the return of eight more hostage remains in two phases, along with the release of the last six living captives.
Talks for a second phase of the truce, which could lead to a more permanent resolution, are expected to begin soon.