'Day of grief': Netanyahu as Hamas returns 4 hostages' bodies
What's the story
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared Thursday, February 20, 2025, a "heartbreaking day, a day of grief" for the nation. This comes after Hamas confirmed that it will return the bodies of four Israeli hostages. The victims include infant Kfir Bibas and his brother Ariel who were abducted with their mother Shiri Bibas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023.
PM's response
Netanyahu's emotional message and future plans
In an emotional social media post, Netanyahu expressed his sorrow over the tragic event. He wrote, "Tomorrow will be a very hard day for the State of Israel. A tumultuous day, a day of mourning." The prime minister also called Hamas "monsters" and emphasized Israel's determination to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Ceasefire progress
Gaza ceasefire and US intervention
The Gaza ceasefire, effective January 2025, seeks to end the 15-month-long war. It is a three-phased plan focused on hostages and prisoners' exchange between Israel and Hamas. Under the deal, Hamas will free six living hostages and return the bodies of the four hostages on Saturday. The six people are the last living hostages set to be freed in the first phase in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Secong phase
The warring sides yet to negotiate the second phase
The warring parties have yet to negotiate the second, more difficult phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in exchange for a long-term ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal. Israel's leadership maintains that it seeks to remove Hamas as a military and governing force in Gaza. And, despite being rejected by the Arab world and Palestinians, US President Donald Trump's proposal to permanently remove Gaza's two million residents and redevelop the territory has added to the uncertainty.