Amid profound forensic challenges, Israel may never fully determine how hostages were killed in captivity

For 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 Türk

Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister

In light of Hamas’s repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes, it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies,

Netanyahu's statement said

Based on intelligence and all available information, Ohad Yahalomi, Tsahi Idan, and Itzik Elgarat were murdered while held hostage in Gaza,

the office said

Emmanuel Macronfrench President

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 continues

Dani, this is the end.”

Speaking last year to Australian website Quillette, Dani said

Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister

An agreement has been reached with the mediators: our four deceased hostages will be returned tonight as part of Phase 1 under an agreed-upon procedure and without Hamas ceremonies,

the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement

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

Hakan Fidanturkish Foreign Minister

The biggest obstacle to peace and stability in our region is Israel’s regional aggression,

Fidan said

We don’t have time, and the hostages don’t have time,

Horn said

After 498 days, I was released from Hamas captivity,

Horn said

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,

Witkoff said

I know my son is probably in tunnels, so I understand that he’s not seeing sunlight, and the air is very thin underground,

said Alexander

I can't wait for that day when they tell me, Yael, you have to come to Israel to get Edan back,

she said, her eyes filling with tears

This is a critical time,

said Alexander, whose son was a 19-year-old soldier when he was abducted by Hamas-led militants

I don't know how, after this event they experienced yesterday, they will be able to gather their strength again,

Galia David, the mother of Evyatar David, told Israel's Reshet Bet radio station on Sunday

Every time they say Edan’s name, it’s like they didn’t forget. They didn’t forget he’s American, and they’re working on it,

she said