Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli captives, including a woman, her two children, and an 83-year-old man, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The Palestinian group claims that all four were alive before being killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting the locations where they were held.
The release of the bodies is part of a broader ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which also includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. Many of these detainees have been held without charge or trial for extended periods, fueling ongoing tensions.
A Palestinian rights group has alleged that Israel is withholding the remains of at least 665 Palestinians, including some who were killed as far back as the 1960s and 1970s.
Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Khan Younis, described the site of the handover as highly symbolic for Palestinians, as it was a key location during Israeli military operations in the city. Preparations for the handover reportedly began in the early hours of the morning, with masked fighters wearing green headbands and carrying rifles.
The event featured a stage with three large banners, one of which condemned alleged crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza. A massive poster in the background depicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with fangs and blood on his face, dripping onto images of the four released Israelis, underscoring the highly charged political atmosphere surrounding the event.
The exchange comes amid mounting international calls for a permanent ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. However, the rhetoric from both sides suggests that lasting peace remains elusive. As Hamas and Israel continue negotiations, the region remains on edge, with both sides deeply entrenched in their respective positions.
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