Gaza Strip
The IDF and Israeli authorities geared up for an emotional day as Hamas returned four dead captives.
While Republicans back the idea of American oversight of the Strip, including resettling Palestinians, by 49% to 32%, Democrats opposed it 94% to 1%.
The slain hostages expected to be returned for burial are Shiri Bibas and her young sons, Ariel and Kfir, as well as octogenarian Oded Lifshitz.
“If Israel remains in the Gaza Strip, it will be considered an occupying power and dealt with as an occupying power,” Mahmoud al-Habash warned.
The strike comes one day after the deadline for IDF troops to withdraw from the country.
Palestinian workers are reportedly being allowed into the Israeli security buffer zone along the border.
“There needs to be an urgent investigation into how this happened,” said Alex Hearn, director of Labour Against Antisemitism.
The identification process is expected to take hours and involve numerous experts. Professionals advise avoiding overexposure to distressing images.
The Israeli strategic affairs minister will reportedly replace Mossad chief David Barnea as head of the Israeli delegation.
The Hamas terrorist group agreed to double to six the number of hostages scheduled to be freed as part of the seventh release.
“Until we receive definitive confirmation, our ordeal is not over,” the family said, after Hamas announced that the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, are to be returned to Israel.
The White House believes that removing Hamas from power is a bigger obstacle to a Gaza plan than is reconstruction or relocation of Gazans.
