Israel confirms: This is when the 4 deceased hostages are being returned to Israel

In a critical development in the ongoing conflict, Israel confirmed the report that the remains of four Israeli hostages who were slain in Gaza will be released tonight, beginning at 11:00 PM. The release is set to continue throughout the night, marking a significant moment in the tense negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

This release agreement comes after intense talks and is tied to the simultaneous release of 602 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The bodies of 4 slain Israeli hostages, whose deaths had been confirmed earlier, will be handed over in exchange for the release of these prisoners. An Israeli official confirmed the details of the deal, underscoring the arrangement’s importance in maintaining the delicate balance between both sides amid the larger conflict.

The hostages' remains will be transferred to Israel via Egypt, a crucial intermediary in facilitating the exchange. Notably, Israel has been assured by Hamas that no ceremonies or public displays will accompany the handover of the bodies. This assurance is especially significant after previous experiences, where similar promises were made and then violated, such as in the case of the Bibas family and the body of Oded Lifshitz. These incidents led to Israel’s decision to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners until the hostages' bodies were securely handed over, with emphasis that it will not release prisoners before the dead are returned.

The Israeli government had delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday, citing the horrific cruel treatment of the hostages by Hamas. Israel’s stance in delaying this exchange also stems from concerns over Hamas’ handling of such releases and their previous failure to uphold certain commitments.

Meanwhile, Hamas has expressed dissatisfaction over Israel’s delay, calling it a “serious violation” of the ceasefire agreement between the two sides. The militant group has stated that this delay jeopardizes the potential for future talks and for further phases of ceasefire negotiations. Hamas has also emphasized that the release of Palestinian prisoners is necessary for the continuation of dialogue.

The deal regarding the release of the hostages’ bodies and Palestinian prisoners is a critical part of the broader ceasefire agreement, which is set to expire soon. According to Israeli officials, if no further hostages are released by March 8, the ceasefire could be at risk of ending. Thus, the developments in the coming days will be pivotal in determining the future of the fragile peace between Israel and Hamas.

This release agreement is seen as a significant step, though fraught with complexities. It is unclear what impact it will have on the broader conflict, but it has already underscored the immense human toll the ongoing war continues to exact on both sides.