Israel identifies bodies of two more possible hostages after Hamas releases their remains.
In a development that brings some closure for the families of those taken captive, Israel has confirmed the identities of two additional hostages whose remains were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross on Sunday night. Ronen Engel, a 41-year-old father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker who was killed in an attack at Kibbutz Be'eri, are among those whose remains have been returned to Israel.
The handover comes as part of the ceasefire plan brokered by the United States that aims to bring an end to two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Since the agreement took effect early this week, Hamas has released 20 living hostages and the confirmed remains of at least 12 others. However, the Israeli government is still waiting for information on the whereabouts of several other hostages whose bodies are unaccounted for.
As part of the deal, Israel agreed to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 250 people serving life sentences, in exchange for Hamas' agreement to hand over all remaining living and deceased hostages. The released Palestinians include those who were detained without charges since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
The bodies of at least four more confirmed hostages have been handed over by Hamas since Monday, including three more on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. However, the group also returned one of the released remains to Israel on Friday.
Israel has so far returned the bodies of at least 135 Palestinians to Gaza as part of the ceasefire plan. However, tensions remain high, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement in recent days. On Sunday, militants shot at troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to the agreed-upon ceasefire lines.
The Israeli government has announced that it will not open the critical southern border crossing of Rafah until Hamas fulfills its part in returning abductees and implementing the agreed-upon outline. Hamas has responded by calling this move a "blatant violation" of the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has issued a statement alleging that Hamas is planning to attack Palestinian civilians, prompting concerns that the fragile ceasefire may be on the verge of collapse.
In a development that brings some closure for the families of those taken captive, Israel has confirmed the identities of two additional hostages whose remains were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross on Sunday night. Ronen Engel, a 41-year-old father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker who was killed in an attack at Kibbutz Be'eri, are among those whose remains have been returned to Israel.
The handover comes as part of the ceasefire plan brokered by the United States that aims to bring an end to two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Since the agreement took effect early this week, Hamas has released 20 living hostages and the confirmed remains of at least 12 others. However, the Israeli government is still waiting for information on the whereabouts of several other hostages whose bodies are unaccounted for.
As part of the deal, Israel agreed to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 250 people serving life sentences, in exchange for Hamas' agreement to hand over all remaining living and deceased hostages. The released Palestinians include those who were detained without charges since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
The bodies of at least four more confirmed hostages have been handed over by Hamas since Monday, including three more on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. However, the group also returned one of the released remains to Israel on Friday.
Israel has so far returned the bodies of at least 135 Palestinians to Gaza as part of the ceasefire plan. However, tensions remain high, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement in recent days. On Sunday, militants shot at troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to the agreed-upon ceasefire lines.
The Israeli government has announced that it will not open the critical southern border crossing of Rafah until Hamas fulfills its part in returning abductees and implementing the agreed-upon outline. Hamas has responded by calling this move a "blatant violation" of the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has issued a statement alleging that Hamas is planning to attack Palestinian civilians, prompting concerns that the fragile ceasefire may be on the verge of collapse.