Israel to Receive Hostage Bodies, Negotiates for Living Captives

The Israeli government is preparing to receive the bodies of four hostages from Gaza on Thursday. Negotiations are underway to secure the return of six living captives on Saturday, according to an Israeli security official on Monday. If these handovers are successful, four hostages, all presumed dead, would remain in Gaza out of the 33 slated for release in the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement. This agreement aims to halt the war between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire deal, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, has remained in effect despite reported violations from both sides. Hamas has accused Israel of obstructing the delivery of housing materials for displaced Gazans. Israel denies this, but Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu's security cabinet, confirmed that mobile homes are at the border. Israel aims to leverage its position to expedite the release of the 33 hostages in the first phase, which includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. To date, 19 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals have been released. Hamas claims that 25 of the 33 hostages due for release in the first phase are alive. US President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians and develop Gaza under US control has overshadowed the ceasefire deal. Work has commenced on the second phase of the deal, focusing on the return of remaining hostages and the Israeli withdrawal.