Hamas hands over bodies of four hostages to Israel as ceasefire deal progresses

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has handed over the bodies of four hostages to Israel following the release of 20 captives under the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

According to Hamas, the bodies were transferred to Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross. Israeli media identified the deceased as Guy Eluz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi, and Daniel Perez.

Hamas stated that retrieving the remaining 24 bodies may take time as the exact burial sites are not yet known.

A day earlier, Hamas had released 20 living hostages under the ceasefire deal, all of whom appeared to be in good health upon release.

Meanwhile, 1,968 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli jails and transported by buses to Gaza and the West Bank.

Emotional scenes unfolded as families reunited with their loved ones after years of separation, embracing each other with tears and joy.

One freed Palestinian, upon arriving in the West Bank, told reporters, “We thank Allah first and then the people of Gaza and the resistance, who secured our release with dignity.”

He added that prison conditions were extremely harsh, saying they had been taken out of their cells four days prior to release and subjected to continuous beatings and humiliation.