Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages from Gaza in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners. Israel is conducting DNA tests to confirm the identities of Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat, who were taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
Palestinian prisoners, including more than 400 Gazans and 50 serving life sentences, were released from Ofer and Ketziot prisons. They arrived in the occupied West Bank and Gaza to crowds of celebrating supporters.
The exchange marks the final phase of the current ceasefire agreement, set to end on Saturday. It remains unclear if the truce will be extended or if negotiations will proceed to a second phase, which would involve the release of all remaining living hostages in Gaza in exchange for more Palestinian detainees.
