Here's how the IDF is preparing to receive murdered Shiri, Ariel, Kfir Bibas tomorrow

The Israel Defense Forces announced today (Wednesday) that it is finalizing preparations for a somber military ceremony to receive four deceased hostages from Hamas, marking another painful chapter in the ongoing conflict that began last October.

The transfer, expected to take place Thursday morning, will begin when Hamas hands the bodies over to the Red Cross in Gaza. Israeli military officials have requested media outlets refrain from broadcasting footage of the transfer from within Gaza territory.

"We did not succeed in our mission to bring the hostages home alive to their families," a senior IDF official acknowledged in a statement. "Returning them for proper burial in Israel is an appropriate and necessary closure for the families."

The military has planned a ceremonial reception on Gaza soil immediately following the Red Cross handover. The ceremony will include the placement of the deceased in coffins draped with Israeli flags, military honors, and the recitation of Psalms by a rabbi. Following these rites, the coffins will be transported under police escort to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for formal identification.

The identification process could take up to 48 hours, military sources said. At the families' request, they will remain at home during this period, accompanied by IDF representatives. The forensic examination will serve two crucial purposes: confirming the identities of the deceased and determining the circumstances of their deaths, particularly important as questions may arise about the causes of death.

Separately, preparations continue for Saturday's anticipated exchange of six living hostages, following the pattern established in previous phases of the agreement. This exchange will trigger the release of over 700 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli facilities, including 47 individuals who were previously released in the Shalit deal but later returned to terrorist activities.

The delicate process of receiving the deceased hostages underscores the complex nature of the ongoing negotiations and the profound emotional toll on Israeli society. Military officials emphasized that while this represents a failure to bring the hostages home alive, it provides an essential form of closure for the bereaved families and the nation as a whole.

The planned ceremony, with its combination of military honors and religious observance, reflects Israel's commitment to providing dignity in death to those who could not be saved in life. As the nation prepares for this solemn occasion, the IDF has pledged continued support for the families throughout the transfer, identification, burial ceremonies, and the difficult period that will follow.