Did Israel Really Receive Four More Hostage Bodies from Hamas?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Israel received four hostages' remains from Hamas via the Red Cross.
- The bodies are being identified at the National Center of Forensic Medicine.
- Hamas has not disclosed the identities of the bodies.
- Approximately 20 more hostages' bodies are still in Gaza.
- The situation remains critical with ongoing negotiations.
Jerusalem, Oct 15 (NationPress) Israel has received the remains of four hostages after they were surrendered to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza.
The exchange occurred with the bodies being handed over to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet officials within the Gaza Strip, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. Subsequently, they were escorted across the border into Israel by Israeli military forces, according to a joint statement from the military and Shin Bet.
The remains are now being processed at the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification. In contrast to a similar handover earlier this week, Hamas did not reveal the identities of the bodies beforehand, leaving Israeli authorities uncertain about who they are, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
"Once the identification process is finalized, families will receive official notification," stated Netanyahu's office.
On Monday, Hamas had returned the bodies of four hostages along with 20 surviving captives as part of a ceasefire agreement, during which Israel released approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
Israeli officials reported that about 20 additional hostages' bodies are still in Gaza, and they are pressing Hamas to release them as well.
Earlier on Monday, Israel declared that Hamas no longer holds any living Israeli hostages, as the last 13 were handed over to the IDF and are now en route home after spending more than two years in captivity.
This marks the second release of hostages; previously, seven Israeli men returned home after enduring over 738 days in Hamas captivity.
The seven individuals include Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dallal.
The Red Cross facilitated the handover of the hostages to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.