Mourners are burying the remains of one of the last hostages released in the first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas militants and Israel
Mourners in Israel buried Idan, one of the last hostages released from Gaza, as talks began for the next phase of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Idan was killed in captivity, and his body was among four released by Hamas in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire. The families of the remaining 59 hostages, 32 of whom are confirmed dead, are pressing for their release. Eli Sharabi, one of the recently released hostages, described harsh conditions of captivity. The second phase of the ceasefire aims to negotiate an end to the war, return all remaining living hostages, and withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza. Discussions involving Israel, Qatar, and the US are ongoing in Cairo. The first phase of the ceasefire saw the release of 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire, brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, ended 15 months of war that began with Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel, displacing 90% of Gaza's population and devastating its infrastructure and health system.
