Israel releases over 600 Palestinian prisoners after Hamas hands back hostages as lifeless corpses
In a haunting conclusion to the latest ceasefire negotiations, Hamas has returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners. The grim handover took place overnight, with Israel now conducting DNA tests to confirm the remains belong to Shlomo Mansour, 86, Ohad Yahalomi, 50, Tsachi Idan, 50, and Itzik Elgarat, 69.
The exchange, which marks the final act of this phase of the ceasefire, has reignited anger and grief across Israel. The hostages were abducted during the deadly 7 October 2023 attacks, in which Hamas militants stormed Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 captive. For months, their families had clung to hope, desperate for news of their survival. Now, they face the devastating confirmation that their loved ones never made it out alive.
Palestinian prisoners, many of whom had been captured in Gaza during the war, were seen returning to their homes in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. As buses rolled into Ramallah and Khan Younis, ecstatic crowds gathered, waving flags and chanting slogans. The released prisoners included over 400 Gazans detained during the conflict and 50 individuals serving life sentences. The contrast between these celebrations and the mourning in Israel could not have been starker.
The transfer of bodies was deliberately conducted in secrecy, avoiding the controversial public displays that had accompanied previous exchanges. Israel had objected to what it called Hamas’s “humiliating” handover tactics, accusing the group of deliberately tormenting hostage families. Hamas, in turn, claimed the discreet approach was necessary to prevent Israel from using the process as an excuse to delay the prisoner release.
The current ceasefire phase is set to expire on Saturday, with uncertainty hanging over what happens next. A second phase of negotiations—potentially involving the release of all remaining living hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners—was supposed to begin during this truce. However, talks have stalled, and no clear roadmap has emerged.
Tensions between the two sides have remained high, with each accusing the other of violating terms and manipulating the delicate exchange process. Last week, an embarrassing mix-up saw Hamas mistakenly return the body of a Palestinian woman from Gaza instead of that of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas. The error provoked outrage in Israel, leading to fears that similar mistakes could happen again.
Wednesday also saw thousands of Israelis gather for the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, just nine months old. The three were taken hostage on 7 October, and their fate remained a painful mystery for months. When confirmation came that they had been killed in captivity, Israel was left reeling. At their funeral, mourners wept as the three were buried together in a single casket beside Shiri’s parents, who were murdered in the initial attack.
The war in Gaza, which erupted following Hamas’s brutal assault, has resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. It remains the deadliest conflict in the region’s history, with no clear end in sight.
As Israel buries its dead and Palestinians celebrate the return of their prisoners, the fragile ceasefire stands on the brink of collapse. With no agreement in place for what happens next, both sides remain locked in a cycle of grief, anger, and violence.
