3:50 p.m.: The family of Oded Lifshitz announced that "We received with deep sorrow the official and bitter news confirming the identification of our beloved Oded's body. "503 agonizing days of uncertainty have come to an end. We had hoped and prayed so much for a different outcome. "Now we can mourn the husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who has been missing from us since October 7. "Our family's healing process will begin now and will not end until the last hostage is returned." 1:35 p.m.: Coffins of four deceased hostages reach the National Institute for Forensic Medicine, also known as "Abu Kabir." Identification may take up to 48 hours. 1:02 p.m.: IDF soldiers salute the coffins of four deceased hostages. מצדיעים צילום: דובר צה"ל 12:05 p.m.: Police officers salute as hostages' coffins enter Israel. שוטרים מצדיעים לארונות החללים צילום: דוברות המשטרה מצדיעים לחללים בישראל צילום: דוברות המשטרה 11:55 a.m.: "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," the IDF and ISA shared in a joint announcement. 11:53 a.m.: The coffins of the four hostages have crossed the border fence and entered Israeli territory. 11:48 a.m.: The military ceremony for the four deceased hostages has concluded. 11:25 a.m.: The IDF has x-rayed all four coffins for security purposes, and afterward ensured that all of their locks could be opened. 11:05 a.m.: IDF Chief Rabbi Eyal Karim recites Chapter 83 of Psalms beside the coffins of the four killed hostages. 10:49 a.m.: Kan News has reported that Hamas gave Israel locked coffins, together with keys that do not open them. 10:40 a.m.: Military ceremony begins, coffins of deceased hostages wrapped in Israeli flags. 10:30 a.m.: Israeli President Isaac Herzog mourned: "Agony. Pain. There are no words. Our hearts — the hearts of an entire nation — lie in tatters." "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. "May their memory be a blessing." 10:23 a.m.: The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Israel received, through the Red Cross, the coffins of four deceased hostages. 9:54 a.m.: The IDF and ISA have announced: "According to information communicated by the Red Cross, four caskets of deceased hostages were transferred to them, and they are being taken to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip." 9:50 a.m.: The coffins of four hostages, Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, have been transferred to the Red Cross. The handover takes place in the Bani Suheila neighborhood in Khan Yunis, following a cynical "ceremony" Hamas held, during which the terror group also blamed Israel for the hostages' deaths. From there, they will be transferred to the IDF. Related articles: Netanyahu speaks with family of hostage Elkana Bochbot Report: Hamas claims it will accept Egyptian ceasefire proposal 'I may have been duped by Hamas' Auburn coach calls for release of American hostage held in Gaza The families requested that photographs of the ceremony not be published. On the stage at the ceremony were photographs of the four hostages, alongside a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a bloodthirsty demon above their heads. Upon receipt of the hostages' bodies within Gaza, they will be transferred to coffins wrapped in Israeli flags. At that point, a full military ceremony will be held, led by a rabbi. Psalms and the Kaddish prayer will be recited, and the coffins will be carried. From there, the coffins will be brought to Israeli territory, and the bodies will undergo a forensic identification process at the Abu Kabir facility. The military rabbinate stressed that the identification process may take up to 48 hours. Following the conclusion of the process, the families of the hostages will be notified, and later the public as well. The defense echelon is expecting Hamas to blame the IDF for the hostages' deaths, but stressed that this is not verified and that an investigation into the cause of each hostage's death will be undertaken.
