Hamas launched 4 lifeless hostages to the Purple Cross on Thursday, marking one other step within the first part of the cease-fire between the terrorist group and Israel.
The change, which passed off within the Gaza Strip, was confirmed by an Israeli safety official. Egyptian mediators assisted within the supply of the caskets, which Israeli officers have begun to establish.
On the identical time, Israel launched tons of of Palestinian prisoners in a transfer that was beforehand delayed. Purple Cross convoys assisted with the transport of the detainees.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace beforehand confirmed the change on Wednesday, noting that it was prone to happen with out the humiliating “ceremonies” that Hamas has engaged in prior.
ISRAEL’S UN AMBASSADOR SLAMS HAMAS’ ‘EVIL AND DEPRAVED’ DISPLAY OF HOSTAGES’ COFFINS
Purple Cross automobiles, carrying the our bodies of 4 Israeli hostages, go away pickup level after Hamas arms over the our bodies with out a ceremony in Gaza on February 27, 2025. (Abdallah F.s. Alattar/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos)
On Saturday, Netanyahu briefly delayed the seventh hostage-prisoner change in protest of Hamas’s launch ceremonies, which had been used to generate propaganda. In a single ceremony, hostages had been pressured to pose with Hamas fighters and kiss militants on the top.
“In gentle of Hamas’s repeated violations, together with the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda functions, it has been determined to delay the discharge of terrorists that was deliberate for yesterday till the discharge of the following hostages has been assured, and with out the humiliating ceremonies,” Netanyahu’s assertion stated.
Hamas had referred to as the delay a “severe violation,” although the militant group’s therapy of prisoners was condemned by worldwide teams, together with the United Nations.
FUNERAL HELD FOR SHIRI BIBAS AND HER SONS AFTER THEIR REMAINS HANDED OVER BY HAMAS
Purple Cross automobiles, carrying the our bodies of 4 Israeli hostages, go away pickup level after Hamas arms over the our bodies with out a ceremony in Gaza on February 27, 2025. The our bodies had been anticipated to be handed over within the first part of the hostage swap settlement. (Abdallah F.s. Alattar/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos)
“Beneath worldwide regulation, any handover of the stays of [the] deceased should adjust to the prohibition of merciless, inhuman or degrading therapy, making certain respect for the dignity of the deceased and their households,” the United Nations Geneva stated on X final week, attributing the quote to Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
Israeli United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon instructed Fox Information Digital that Hamas’ “ceremonies” had been “evil and wicked.”
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Buses carrying Palestinian safety prisoners are greeted by a crowd after being launched from an Israeli jail following a ceasefire settlement with Israel, within the West Financial institution metropolis of Ramallah, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Picture/Nasser Nasser)
“For 16 months, Israel has been combating a deranged terrorist group that locations no worth on human life, particularly whether it is Israeli or Jewish — all whereas worldwide establishments just like the U.N. shunned condemning Hamas and formally demanding the quick return of our hostages,” Danon stated.
The Related Press and Fox Information’ Rachel Wolf and Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.
