The Israel Defense Forces announced that the remains of two hostages have been returned to Israel after Hamas handed the coffins over to the Red Cross for transfer.
“Two coffins of deceased hostages, escorted by IDF troops, crossed the border into the State of Israel a short while ago and are on their way to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine, where identification procedures will be carried out,” the military said. “IDF representatives are accompanying the families. The IDF urges the public to act with sensitivity and wait for official identification, which will first be communicated to the families of the deceased hostages.”
Before the exchange took place, the army urged restraint as the Red Cross prepared to retrieve the coffins from Hamas. “The IDF requests that the public act with sensitivity and wait for the official identification, which will first be provided to the families of the hostages. Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages,” it said.
Shortly afterward, the military confirmed that the handover was in progress. “According to information provided by the Red Cross, two coffins of deceased hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF troops in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages,” the IDF reported.
Following the transfer, Israel noted that thirteen additional bodies of hostages remain in Gaza.
The Prime Minister’s Office released its own statement confirming the process. “Israel has received, via the Red Cross, coffins containing the remains of two deceased hostages, which were handed over to an IDF and ISA force inside the Gaza Strip. From there, the coffins will be transferred to Israel, where they will be received in a military ceremony in the presence of the IDF Chief Rabbi.”
“They will then be transferred to the Health Ministry National Center of Forensic Medicine. Upon completion of the identification process, formal notification will be delivered to their families. All of the hostages’ families have been updated accordingly, and our hearts are with them in this difficult hour. The effort to return our hostages is ongoing and will not cease until the last hostage is returned. The public is requested to respect the families’ privacy and to refrain from spreading rumors and unofficial and unverified information. We will continue to provide updates with reliable information as necessary,” the PMO said.
{Matzav.com}
