Tel aviv: Israel announced on Tuesday that it had received the bodies of four hostages from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) within the Gaza Strip. This development was reported by Israel's official broadcaster, KAN, and marks a significant moment amidst ongoing tensions.

According to Anadolu Agency, the transfer involved four coffins containing the deceased hostages, which were handed over to the Israeli army by the Red Cross. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) are now in possession of these remains. Earlier statements from the army indicated that the ICRC was en route to a designated location in northern Gaza to retrieve the bodies.

There has not been any official statement from Hamas regarding this transfer. However, it was noted that the Palestinian group handed over the remains on Monday as part of a ceasefire agreement between the involved parties.

On the same day, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. This exchange was part of the initial phase of a ceasefire deal announced by former US President Donald Trump. Trump's plan, initially proposed on September 29, includes the release of all Israeli captives in return for Palestinian prisoners and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The next phase of the agreement aims to establish a new governing structure in Gaza without Hamas' involvement, alongside forming a multinational force and disarming Hamas.

Since the escalation of conflict in October 2023, Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of over 67,900 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, leaving the enclave substantially uninhabitable.