Middle East: Hamas hands over remains of four hostages as Palestinians leave Israeli prison

Israel released dozens of Palestinians from Ofer prison after the remains of Gaza hostages were handed over.

Israel is expected to release over 600 prisoners to Gaza and the West Bank. They include 467 people who were all arrested after Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to lists shared by Palestinian officials.

A bus carrying some of the released prisoners was seem arriving in Ramallah.

Hamas hands over remains of 4 hostages

Hamas handed over the bodies of four hostages to the Red Cross in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli security official said.

The identities of the four have not been confirmed.

The release of the bodies were carried out without a ceremony, as opposed to past Hamas releases with stage-managed events in front of crowds. 

Israel has delayed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday to protest what it called the cruel treatment of hostages during their handover by Hamas. 

Israel, along with the Red Cross and UN officials, have called the ceremonies humiliating for the hostages.