Tel Aviv [Israel], February 21 (HBTV): Israel on Thursday received the remains of four deceased hostages through the Red Cross. The coffins, transferred by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and ISA forces from the Gaza Strip, arrived in Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed grief, stating that the loss is deeply felt across every home in Israel. The IDF also honoured the deceased hostages.

In a post on X, the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel wrote, 'Israel has—through the Red Cross—received the coffins of four deceased hostages. The coffins were transferred to an IDF force and the ISA inside the Gaza Strip, from where they will be taken to Israel, to the Health Ministry's National Center of Forensic Medicine.'

Meanwhile, Netanyahu stated, 'My brothers and sisters, dear citizens of Israel, on this day we are all united in grief that is too heavy to bear. Today, every home in Israel bows its head. We bow our heads over the heavy loss of four of our hostages.'

Earlier, the IDF posted on X, 'A short while ago, IDF and ISA forces brought the coffins of the four deceased hostages over the border into Israel, and they are being taken to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine to undergo an identification procedure. IDF representatives are accompanying their families at this difficult time.'

In another post, the IDF stated, 'The IDF salutes the deceased hostages as they return home after over 500 days in the hands of terrorists.'

On Wednesday, Israel confirmed that it had received the list of deceased hostages set to be returned on Thursday. Following this, Netanyahu expressed deep sorrow, acknowledging that the day would be extremely difficult for the nation as Israel prepared to bring home the remains.

Sharing a post on X, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office wrote, 'Israel has received the list of deceased hostages that are due to be released tomorrow, pursuant to the framework. The Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, has updated the families of the hostages via the representatives of the IDF.' (ANI)