**Israeli Hostages’ Bodies Returned**
The bodies of four Israeli hostages, including two brothers and their mother, have been returned to Israel after being held by Hamas for over 500 days.
**A Somber Return**
The return was marked by a somber ceremony on the border of the Gaza Strip. The bodies were draped in Israeli flags, and prayers were offered by the army chief rabbi. A crowd of Israelis gathered to pay their respects, with some people crying or sitting on the ground with their heads in their hands.
**A Tragic Story**
The four hostages, Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibi, and her two sons Ariel and Kfir, were captured from the kibbutz Nir Oz in October 2023. Their families had been holding onto hope that they would be released alive. However, it was later claimed by Hamas that the four men were killed in Israeli air raids against Gaza.
**A Difficult Process**
The return of the bodies was a difficult process for both Israelis and Palestinians. Red Cross officials were present to supervise the handover, which was delayed due to heavy rain. The crowd was smaller than usual due to the weather conditions.
**Calls for Healing**
Yizhar Lifschitz, Oded’s son, called for healing and moving on from the tragedy. He remembered his father as a peace activist who had a long-held vision of how to resolve conflicts in the Middle East.
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