Quotes
We will get to stage two, or phase two, and I'm very focused on that, and I think it's going to happen,
Witkoff said Sunday on CBS News' "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
I know his parents. We talk all the time. He's critical. It's one of President Trump's most important objectives is to get all Americans home, and we're going to be successful in getting Edan home, I believe,
Witkoff told BrennanI think the devil is in the details, and we've had a lot of discussions around it. I'm not at liberty to have that, that specific discussion today, but we've got some ideas, and that will be part of the negotiation,
he saidWe have cut off the path before the enemy's false justifications, and it has no choice but to start negotiations for the second phase,
Hamas said on Telegram
Our sacrifices and imprisonment were not in vain,
Yassin said
We renew our full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, and confirm our readiness to enter into negotiations for the second phase of the agreement,
the group said in a statementIn this difficult hour, there is some comfort in the fact that they will be laid to rest in the tomb of Israel,
he wroteFor 16 months, Israel has been fighting a deranged terrorist organization that places no value on human life, especially if it is Israeli or Jewish — all while international institutions like the U.N. refrained from condemning Hamas and formally demanding the immediate return of our hostages,
Danon said
Under international law, any handover of the remains of [the] deceased must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families,
the United Nations Geneva said on X last week, attributing the quote to High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TürkBased on intelligence and all available information, Ohad Yahalomi, Tsahi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat were murdered while held hostage in Gaza,
the office said
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In these suspended hours of pain and anguish, the nation stands by their side.”
French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X about Mr Yahalomi, an Israeli-French hostage whose body was also expected to be released
Our family has received with great sadness Hamas's announcement that our beloved Tsachi is no longer alive and that his body will be returned to Israel during the night.
Meanwhile, Mr Idan's family said in a statement
Since Tsachi was kidnapped, we received several signs of life, and in the previous deal last November, Tsachi was alive and expected to be released
It continuesDani, this is the end.”
Speaking last year to Australian website Quillette, Dani said
Preparations begin at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis to receive the released prisoners ... [and] they are expected to arrive between 10 pm and midnight [local time],
said Hamas’ Prisoners’ Media Office in a statement
Yesterday, the funeral of Oded Lifshitz took place; today, the funeral of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas is taking place. We remember all the victims of October 7. We remember, and we will not forget,
said speaker Amir Ohana
We’re making a lot of progress. Israel is sending a team right now as we speak,
Steve Witkoff told an event for the American Jewish CommitteeThe Bibas family, I think, is like the symbol of everything that happened to us since October 7,
said retired teacher Ayala Schlesinger Avidov, 72, visibly emotional as she spoke to AFPShiri, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all,
Bibas said in his eulogy, his voice cracking
In accordance with Israeli demands, an agreement was reached with the mediators: our four fallen hostages will be returned tonight... without Hamas ceremonies.”
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also confirmed the handover stating