Hamas Hands Over Four Bodies Of Israeli Hostages, Including Kfir And Ariel Bibas' Brothers And Sisters

JAKARTA - The Palestinian militant group Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, who were arrested during the October 7 attack and taken to the Gaza Strip, on Thursday, including Kaca-adik Kfir Bibas and Ariel Bibas.

The Red Cross vehicle drove out of the handover site in the Gaza Strip with four black coffins that had been placed on stage. Each coffin has a small picture of the hostages.

Hamas militants armed with black uniforms and camouflage surrounded the area.

The head of human rights of the United Nations of Volker Turk called the march of bodies in Gaza disgusting and cruel, saying it was against international law.

"Based on international law, any handover of bodies must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families", he said in a statement.

After the hostages were handed over by the Red Cross, the coffin was scanned for explosives, according to the military, before being transported to Israel.

Israelis marched on the road in the pouring rain near the Gaza border to pay their respects as convoys carrying coffins passed.

"We stand here together, with a broken heart, the sky is also crying with us and we pray that better days will come soon," said a woman, who only mentioned her secretary name.

In Tel Aviv, people gathered, several crying, in what was later known as the Hostage Field outside Israel's defense headquarters.

"Suffering. Pain. No words. Our hearts, hearts throughout the nation, were shattered into pieces," said President Isaac Herzog.

The bodies of their brothers, Shiri Bibas' mother and fourth hostage, Oded Lifschitz, were handed over under a Gaza ceasefire agreement reached last month with the support of the United States and the mediation of Qatar and Egypt.

Yesterday, the Red Cross urged that the handover remain dignified.

The Hamas-directed public hostage release ceremony has drawn increasing criticism, including from the United Nations, which denounces "graysters".

This handover marks the return of the first body during the current agreement. Israel is not expected to confirm their identity until complete DNA examination is complete.

Today's handover of bodies will be followed by the return of six surviving hostages on Saturday, in exchange for hundreds of other Palestinians, who are thought to be women and minors detained by Israeli forces in Gaza during the war.

It is known that negotiations for the second phase, which are expected to include the return of about 60 hostages remaining, less than half are believed to be still alive, and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip to end the war, is expected to begin in the coming days.