Hamas releases four dead hostages to Israel including mother, her two children

Hamas on Thursday returned the dead bodies of four Israeli hostages to Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement, said to include a mother and her two children.

The hostages were taken on Oct. 7, 2023, the day of Hama's terror attack on Israel, which has resulted in a war between the sides. 

The bodies that were returned include Shiri Bibas, her young children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was taken on Oct. 7.

Kfir was nine months old when he was abducted. Hamas has said the four hostages were killed by Israeli airstrikes, according to The Associated Press.

"Our hearts — the hearts of an entire nation — lie in tatters," Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement on the social media platform, X. "On behalf of the State of Israel, I bow my head and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not protecting you on that terrible day. Forgiveness for not bringing you home safely."

Hamas is also expected to release six living hostages on Saturday. Israel is expected to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages.