Bodies of hostages killed in airstrike handed over to Israel... Hamas: 'We wanted them to return alive...'

Hamas has handed over the bodies of 4 Israeli hostages who died during Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip to International Red Cross teams. The remains of Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Kfir Bibas, which were transferred to the Red Cross in coffins in the city of Khan Yunis, have been taken to Israel.

In a statement, Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, emphasized that the captives 'were alive before the Israeli planes deliberately bombed the places where they were being held.' According to the agreement reached between the parties, Israel will release a group of Palestinian prisoners on February 22.

'ISRAEL DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE HOSTAGES'

In a statement on February 20, Hamas announced that the bodies of 4 Israeli captives would be handed over and that 6 Israeli captives would be released on February 22. In the written statement issued by the organization, it was noted that the Israeli army does not care about the lives of the captives.

Emphasizing that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is avoiding responsibility, Hamas included the following statements:

'We wanted the captives to return alive, but Israel killed them. We did our best to protect the lives of the Israeli captives. However, the Israeli army killed them along with the people who were holding them. The Qassam Brigades did their best to protect the lives of the captives. However, Israel's attacks prevented the rescue of all the captives.'

NETANYAHU AND TRUMP MET

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington on February 2. Following the meeting, it was alleged in the Israeli press that Netanyahu was taking steps to end the ceasefire process.

In a statement on February 13, Hamas stated that mediator countries had provided assurances regarding the implementation of the agreement and that the prisoner exchange process would continue. On the other hand, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned in posts on his social media account that military operations against Gaza could resume.

As part of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that came into effect between Hamas and Israel on January 19, the Netzarim Corridor was opened to Palestinians on January 27. The Israeli army announced that it had withdrawn from the region on February 9.

TRUMP: PARTIAL EVACUATIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH

Officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross, who mediated the prisoner exchange, requested that the remaining prisoner exchanges be conducted secretly following the last exchange on February 8. While there has been no response to this request from Israel or Hamas, no new statement has been made regarding how the exchange process will continue.

Regarding the course of the process, Trump made the following statements:

''Hamas has released 3 hostages in Gaza. (The hostages) appear to be in good condition. This seems different from the statement (Hamas) made last week that 'they would not release any hostages.' Now Israel has to make a decision regarding the final deadline given for all hostages to be released by 12:00 noon today. The United States will support the decision they make.''

LATEST STATUS IN THE PRISONER EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

In the first 42 days of the three-phase planned ceasefire process, it is envisaged that Hamas will release 33 hostages and Israel will release more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Under the agreement, prisoner exchanges are carried out every Saturday.

The Rafah Border Crossing was also opened on February 1 for the evacuation of the sick and wounded. In the first six rounds of the agreement, 1,135 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and 19 Israeli and 5 Thai captives in Gaza were released.

Finally, Hamas offered Israel to carry out the hostage exchange 'en masse' in a single go. Israeli officials did not comment on this proposal by Hamas. Red Cross officials warned both sides that the ceasefire process could be disrupted due to 'problems' that may arise in the hostage exchange.

News Source: 12punto