Israel receives bodies of four hostages held by Hamas in Gaza

 

A nation in mourning: Israelis line route in cold and heavy rain

Sebastian Usher
Middle East analyst

The handover of the four bodies was again a choreographed event by Hamas - this time in the devastated landscape of the southern city of Khan Younis.

Hamas fighters and other armed factions stood in serried ranks as four coffins were handed over to the Red Cross, which had asked for the process to be done in a private and dignified manner.

When the caskets were given over to Israel, the military chief rabbi recited prayers over them. Israelis have been lining the route in the cold and heavy rain that will take the bodies to Tel Aviv. The whole country is in mourning.

Shiri Bibas and her two young children have long been the most potent symbol in Israel of the horror of 7 October 2023 - and the ordeal of the hostages who were taken into captivity in Gaza.  

Convoy transporting bodies drives through Israel

As we just reported, a convoy of vehicles carrying the bodies of four hostages is now in southern Israel.

Live pictures show the vehicles driving along the route to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Jaffa, where the Israeli military says the bodies will be formally identified.  

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c80ye2gpn99t