Hamas returns bodies of four Israeli hostages including mother and children

Hamas has returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two young children, who were feared dead since their abduction on October 7, 2023. The remains are said to belong to Shiri Bibas, her sons Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz. The handover took place in Gaza, where Hamas displayed the coffins before transferring them to Red Cross vehicles. Israeli military plans to conduct DNA identification before notifying the families. This event contrasts with recent releases of living hostages during a ceasefire. Hamas is set to release six more living hostages soon, while negotiations for a longer ceasefire continue. The situation remains tense, with ongoing military actions and significant casualties reported on both sides since the conflict began.