Gaza: The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) handed over on Thursday morning the bodies of four Israeli hostages as part of a prisoner exchange agreement with the Israeli entity. This action follows Hamas's announcement of its decision to deliver the bodies, which include members of the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz. Hamas stated that all individuals were alive before being killed in bombings by occupation aircraft.

According to Qatar News Agency, correspondent, the handover occurred in the Bani Suheila area, east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. A representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was present and signed the handover document alongside a commander from Al-Qassam Brigades.

This event is part of the seventh batch in the first stage of the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and the Israeli entity. The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement began on January 19. The first stage is set to last for 42 days, with ongoing negotiations to initiate subsequent stages, facilitated by Qatari and Egyptian mediation and supported by the US.