With only days left before the expiration of the initial phase of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, tensions have escalated. Hamas has agreed to release the bodies of four deceased Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has delayed the prisoner release, citing Hamas’s perceived mistreatment and humiliating ceremonies during the hostage releases. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the release of terrorists would be postponed until the guarantee of the release of the next set of hostages without humiliating rituals is ensured.

The situation worsened when Hamas announced it would return the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two sons, only to later admit a potential misidentification due to Israeli airstrikes. Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, contradicted this, asserting that Ariel and Kfir Bibas were killed by their captors rather than in an airstrike.

In response to the delay by Israel, Hamas has accused the country of violating the ceasefire terms and stated that talks on the second phase couldn’t proceed until the Palestinians are released. Despite these tensions, Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou claimed the group would still transfer the bodies of four Israelis the following day.

As the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her children were transported for burial, thousands of Israelis lined the highways to pay their respects. Yarden Bibas, the father of the family who was separately taken and released during the ceasefire last month, will join them for the burial on Kibbutz Nir Oz.

The ongoing dispute has only added to the already strained relations between the two parties, with no clear resolution in sight as the ceasefire deadline looms closer.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/hamas-agrees-return-bodies-4-israeli-hostages-exchange-hundreds-palestinian-prisoners