Israel Confirms Hamas Handed Over Hostages' Bodies as Palestinian Prisoners Are Released

• Feb 27, 2025

Israel has confirmed that Hamas has transferred the bodies of four Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, following forensic identification of the remains.

Handover of Hostages' Remains

On Wednesday night, Hamas handed over four coffins to the Red Cross in Gaza. By Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the remains belonged to Shlomo Mansour, 86, Ohad Yahalomi, 50, Tsachi Idan, 50, and Itzik Elgarat, 69. He also stated that all four had been murdered.

The transfer paved the way for the delayed release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This marked the conclusion of the first phase of a six-week ceasefire agreement, leaving uncertainty over the next steps in negotiations.

Future of the Ceasefire Agreement

Hamas has expressed its willingness to engage in indirect negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire, aiming to end the war and secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, under pressure from his political allies to resume military operations, has dispatched Israeli negotiators to Cairo for further discussions.

The ongoing conflict stems from Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in about 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign to dismantle Hamas. Since then, at least 48,365 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities. The majority of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have been displaced, with infrastructure severely damaged, and essential services such as healthcare, water, and sanitation in collapse.

Identification Process and Past Mistakes

Unlike previous exchanges, Hamas handed over the bodies on Wednesday without a public ceremony. Israeli authorities conducted initial forensic testing at the border before transferring the remains to the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for further confirmation.

The handover followed an incident last week when Hamas mistakenly transferred the body of a Palestinian woman instead of hostage Shiri Bibas. The error sparked outrage in Israel, and Hamas later corrected the mistake by sending Bibas’s body.

Following the confirmation of the latest hostages' identities, Netanyahu’s office announced that their families had been informed. The statement also detailed the circumstances of their deaths:

• Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat were killed while in captivity in Gaza.
• Shlomo Mansour was murdered during the October 7 attack, and his body was taken to Gaza.

Hamas has not yet responded to these allegations.

Stories of the Hostages

Tsachi Idan was taken from his home in Nahal Oz on October 7, where his eldest daughter, Maayan, was shot and killed in front of her family. His family described his return as “the end of an unbearable journey.”

Itzik Elgarat was kidnapped from Nir Oz, reportedly sustaining a gunshot wound to the hand during the attack.

Ohad Yahalomi, a French-Israeli dual citizen, was abducted along with his 12-year-old son, Eitan, who was released in a previous ceasefire deal in November.

Shlomo Mansour, originally from Iraq, was killed at Kibbutz Kissufim, and his body was taken to Gaza. His sister, Hadassah Lazar, reflected on the situation, saying: “We take comfort in receiving a body to bury, but the fight isn’t over until all the hostages return home.”

Calls for More Hostage Releases

Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized the nation's duty to bring back all hostages, both living and deceased. Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum criticized the Israeli government, claiming that Yahalomi, Idan, and Elgarat could have been rescued alive if a ceasefire deal had been reached sooner.

The organization urged the government to secure the return of the 59 remaining hostages—35 of whom are presumed dead—by next week, warning that “they have no time left.” Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would "act relentlessly until we bring everyone back."

Palestinian Prisoner Release and Reactions

Following the handover of hostages' bodies, buses carrying Palestinian prisoners departed from Ofer Prison in the West Bank and arrived in Ramallah, where crowds gathered to celebrate.

One of the released prisoners, Yahya Shrida, described the experience as being “dug out from our own graves.” He added, “No prisoner has had their release delayed twice like we have.”

Another detainee, Eyad al-Saudi, detailed harsh conditions in Israeli detention, claiming that for 90 days, prisoners were blindfolded, handcuffed, and made to sit for up to 20 hours at a time. He added, “Our joy is incomplete until all prisoners are freed.”

Israeli authorities have previously maintained that detainees are treated in accordance with the law.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Media Office, a total of 642 Palestinian prisoners were set for release, including 445 Gazans detained during the war without charge and 46 women and children. The remaining 151 prisoners include individuals convicted of attacks on Israelis, some of whom are being sent abroad.

Delays and Political Tensions

Israel had initially delayed the prisoner releases in protest of what it described as Hamas’s use of hostages for propaganda and the "humiliating" way they were presented during previous exchanges. Hamas called Israel’s stance a “blatant violation” and made the release of prisoners a condition for continuing ceasefire negotiations.

Eventually, Egyptian mediators brokered an agreement allowing the exchange to proceed, with Israel ensuring that the transfer of hostages’ remains took place without public ceremonies from Hamas.

The Uncertain Path Ahead

It remains unclear whether the truce will be extended or if talks will progress to the next phase, which could lead to the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire and expressed readiness for the second phase of negotiations. In response, Netanyahu’s office announced that Israeli negotiators were heading to Cairo to assess the prospects for further agreements.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed Israel's stance, stating: “We are ready to extend the ceasefire in exchange for more hostages. If possible, we will move forward.”

The fate of the remaining hostages and the fragile ceasefire now rest on the upcoming negotiations.