Hostage remains transferred to Red Cross, en route to Kerem Shalom crossing

The remains of four Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross overnight and are currently being transported toward the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to a security source. The bodies being returned to Israel belong to Shlomo Mansour, Tzachi Idan, Ohad Yahalomi, and Itzik Elgart. Three of them were abducted alive.

As part of the exchange, Israel is expected to release 602 Palestinian terrorists, whose release was previously delayed last week due to political directives. An additional 18 will also be freed. Following the transfer of the hostages' remains, 43 prisoners were released from Ofer Prison and are now being transported toward the Beitunia crossing.

Details of the Transfer and Prisoner Exchange

According to Egyptian news outlet Al-Ghad, the Red Cross took custody of the bodies from Hamas in eastern Khan Younis in southern Gaza. As a result of this latest exchange, Hamas will still hold 59 hostages, including 35 who have been declared deceased.

Hamas has indicated that freed terrorists will begin arriving at the European Hospital in Khan Younis between 10:00 PM and midnight. Red Cross personnel are preparing to receive them at the Kerem Shalom crossing.

However, Israeli authorities have stated that while the release of terrorists will begin alongside the transfer of the hostages' bodies, some detainees will not be freed until the remains are fully identified. Terrorists scheduled for release from Ketziot and Ofer Prisons have already been loaded onto transport buses, awaiting the finalization of the exchange.

Forensic Identification and Past Errors

A forensic team from the Israeli National Institute of Forensic Medicine, along with police forensics personnel, are preparing to conduct preliminary identification of the remains at the Kerem Shalom crossing before they are officially returned to Israel.

Unlike a previous exchange last week—when an incorrect body was transferred (a Palestinian woman’s remains were mistakenly handed over instead of hostage Shiri Bibas)—officials have enhanced verification procedures this time. Identification will be carried out using forensic methods excluding DNA testing. If confirmation cannot be completed on-site, the process will be finalized at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir, where an autopsy will also be conducted to determine the circumstances of death.

Political and Security Context

Last week, Israel postponed the release of terrorists —originally set to take place in exchange for four hostages' remains and six living captives—until Hamas agreed to conduct future exchanges without public celebrations or displays of victory.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday night, both parties reached an agreement, allowing the implementation of the first phase of the deal to move forward.

Background on the Hostages:

Tzachi Idan (50, father of four)

Kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz after Hamas militants infiltrated his home and murdered his 18-year-old daughter, Ma’ayan. During the attack, gunmen live-streamed from his wife's Facebook account, showing Idan holding Ma’ayan in his arms, alongside his other children, Yael (11) and Shachar (9).

Idan was last seen in a Hamas propaganda video in January 2024, appearing alongside three other captives who were later confirmed to have been killed by IDF airstrikes.

His family issued a statement: "We await official confirmation, which we will only receive once Tzachi's body arrives in Israel and all necessary forensic tests are conducted."

Shlomo Mansour (86, Kibbutz Kissufim)

The oldest hostage taken to Gaza and the only one abducted from Kibbutz Kissufim. Mansour’s family never received any signs of life, and two weeks ago, the IDF declared him dead, stating that he was murdered on October 7, with his body held by Hamas ever since.

Mansour was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and survived the Farhud pogrom of 1941 as a young child. He immigrated to Israel with his family in 1951, initially living in Atlit transit camps before moving to a refugee settlement in Talpiot under harsh conditions.

His sister, Hadassa Lazar, recalled: "He was a talented carpenter and a strong man. He rode his bike every day—until the day he was kidnapped."

Ohad Yahalomi (50, Kibbutz Nir Oz)

Injured while defending the bomb shelter door of his home before being kidnapped along with his 12-year-old son, Eitan. His wife and three daughters were also abducted, but managed to escape after the militants' motorcycle overturned.

Eitan was freed in the first hostage exchange, while Ohad remained in captivity. In January 2024, a video released by the Salah al-Din Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, showed him injured, raising concerns about his condition.

Yahalomi worked for 18 years at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, holding multiple key positions before becoming Southern District Manager for the Green Patrol.

Itzik Elgart (69, Kibbutz Nir Oz)

Abducted from his home after being shot in the hand while trying to block the bomb shelter door. A father of two, he worked as a maintenance manager at the kibbutz.

During the attack, he called his brother, Danny Elgart, a former police officer, and said: "Danny, this is the end. This is the end."

Elgart was taken alive, and former hostages reported seeing him in captivity. In March 2024, Hamas announced that he had been killed along with other captives, but the IDF never officially confirmed his death.

His brother Danny told Channel 12 News: "I feel like I failed because I couldn't get the public to fight for my brother’s return. I went on a hunger strike, but no one responded. People honored the Bibas family… but they needed life, not honor."

U.S. Involvement and Future Negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to facilitating the Israel-Hamas agreement, stating: "Phase One is coming to a close, and Phase Two is about to begin. The next decisions are up to Israel."

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, suggested that negotiations could progress further by the end of the week, hinting at a potential visit to the region on Sunday to advance discussions.

What Comes Next?

Israeli officials remain focused on securing the release of more hostages, prioritizing the sick, wounded, and parents of young children in upcoming negotiations. However, major sticking points remain—particularly Israel’s demand that Hamas relinquish control of Gaza, disarm, and agree to the exile of senior leaders.

Another major issue is Hamas’s insistence on an Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor by Saturday, a term included in the ceasefire agreement but not conditional on further negotiations. Israeli officials have indicated they will not implement the withdrawal unless a second phase of the agreement is secured—a condition that remains uncertain.