Three caskets containing 3 deceased hostages were handed over to IDF troops inside the Gaza Strip by the Red Cross, after Hamas announced it would return them to Israel earlier today.
From there, the deceased hostages will be brought into Israel, where they will be received in a military ceremony attended by the IDF Chief Rabbi. Afterward, they will be transferred to the National Center of Forensic Medicine of the Health Ministry. Once the identification process is completed, an official notification will be delivered to their families.
Earlier, the Qatari network Al Jazeera reported, citing its sources, that mediators between Israel and Hamas are holding talks to arrange the departure of Hamas terrorists from areas beyond the Yellow Line.
According to the sources, the purpose of the arrangement is to ensure the "safe exit" of terrorists and to prevent any possible friction between them and Israel Defense Forces troops.
The report said the proposed framework includes moving terrorists in Red Cross vehicles through designated safe crossings. The sources added that Hamas has agreed to the arrangements for the departure of its remaining operatives from areas beyond the Yellow Line and is now waiting for Israeli approval of the plan.
Earlier Sunday, Hamas claimed it had located three deceased hostages. Saudi-owned channel Al Arabiya reported that thhe hostages were allegedly recovered from the rubble. It should be noted that Hamas is still holding 11 deceased hostages and has lied about their status in recent weeks. Israel has received indications and is preparing for the possible transfer of the bodies.
Last Friday, Israel received remains of three bodies from the International Red Cross, which were sent for examination at the National Center of Forensic Medicine. According to the findings, the remains did not belong to any of the deceased hostages. Hamas later issued a statement claiming that Israel had requested to test unidentified bodies and had refused to receive samples to confirm whether they were the hostages.
