In a significant development, Hamas transferred four bodies to the Red Cross early on Thursday. The bodies, yet to be identified, are believed to be those of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. If confirmed, this release would bring the number of captives held by Hamas and its allies to 59. This exchange is part of a broader agreement involving prisoner swaps between Israel and Hamas, set against a backdrop of heightened tensions and ongoing conflict.
Bilal Abu Ghanem, serving concurrent life sentences for the murder of three Israelis in a 2015 bus attack, remains imprisoned. Meanwhile, Hadar Goldin, whose remains have been held since before October 7, 2023, is among those whose status remains uncertain. The release of bodies comes following an agreement for a private transfer without public ceremonies, as announced by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
The transfer follows previous releases by Hamas, which included six Israeli hostages returned in both public ceremonies and private exchanges earlier in the week. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, indicated that the remains of Tsachi Idan, Itzhak Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi, and Shlomo Mantzur would be handed over. Mantzur, at 85, was the oldest hostage taken during the October 7 attack and was reported killed by the Israeli military.
The prisoner exchange extends beyond hostages to include 151 prisoners serving life or long sentences. These individuals are due to be released to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jerusalem, or sent into exile. Among those expected to be released is Nael Barghouti, the longest-serving Palestinian political prisoner, re-arrested in 2014 for alleged "Hamas membership" and serving a life sentence since.
Negotiations have been delicate. A recent release caused uproar when the body handed over by Hamas was not that of hostage Shiri Bibas but an unidentified Gazan woman. This incident highlights the complexities and sensitivities involved in such exchanges.
More than half of the prisoners held by Hamas are thought to be dead according to Israeli government estimates. As the truce officially ends on Saturday, Israel is anticipated to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in the coming hours.
