Hamas Transfers Four Deceased Israeli Hostages to Israel in Exchange for Prisoner Release

The exchange, part of a fragile ceasefire agreement, involves the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners as the first phase of negotiations continues.

The bodies of four Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross and transported to Israel for identification and forensic examination.
The exchange was conducted without the controversial public displays that previously disrupted ceasefire agreements, following Israeli demands for more dignified processes.
In return, Israel began releasing approximately 600 Palestinian prisoners, with buses transporting detainees to Ramallah and Gaza amid celebratory scenes.
This marks the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which also included the transfer of 33 Israeli hostages, eight of whom were deceased.
Negotiations for a second phase, aimed at a potential end to the conflict and the release of remaining hostages, are set to resume but face significant uncertainty.