Bodies of 4 Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas to Red Cross in Gaza
Khan Younis (Gaza Strip) (AP): Hamas handed over four dead hostages to the Red Cross early Thursday in exchange for Israel's release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, days before the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will end.
An Israeli security official confirmed that Hamas handed the bodies to the Red Cross. The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.
At around the same time, a Red Cross convoy carrying dozens of released Palestinian prisoners left Israel's Ofer prison. Crowds of cheering families, friends and supporters of Palestinian prisoners were gathered in Beitunia jostling for a glimpse of the bus that was on its way.
Israel had delayed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday to protest what it called the cruel treatment of hostages during their handover by Hamas. The group has called the delay a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and said talks on a second phase aren't possible until the Palestinians are freed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office had said Wednesday that the release of the bodies would be carried out without a ceremony, as opposed to past Hamas releases with stage-managed events in front of crowds. Israel, along with the Red Cross and U.N. officials, have called the ceremonies humiliating for the hostages.
Among those leaving Israel early Thursday were hundreds of detainees arrested from Gaza, held on suspicion of militancy after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, without charge for months. They include 445 men, 21 teenagers and one woman who were all arrested after the Hamas attack, according to lists shared by Palestinian officials that did not specify their ages.
Only around 50 Palestinians were being released into the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem in this round. Dozens sentenced to life over deadly attacks against Israelis will be exiled out of the Palestinian territories, taken to Egypt at least temporarily until other countries accept them.
The handover will complete both sides' obligations under the ceasefire's first phase, during which Hamas returned 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
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Man beaten to death in Bengaluru over minor argument
Bengaluru (PTI): A 45-year-old mechanic was allegedly beaten to death in front of his children following a quarrel over a trivial issue here, police said on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Rasheed, who worked at a garage in the Wilson Garden area of the city, they said.
Seven people, including the main accused Parvez, have been arrested in connection with the murder that occurred on Sunday evening.
A video of the alleged attack was widely circulated on social media platforms.
According to police, Rasheed and Parvez allegedly argued over some work related to construction. During the altercation, Parvez allegedly hit Ahmed on the leg with a bat. Ahmed fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, resulting in his death.
"A case has been registered in connection with the incident that occurred under the jurisdiction of Wilson Garden police station. Based on the complaint, statements of the complainant, eyewitness accounts, information from locals and other evidence, police have so far arrested seven accused," a senior police officer said.
Inquiry is on to ascertain the exact motive, but prima facia, it appears that the quarrel escalated over the construction of a concrete roof for the garage shop where he worked, he said.
Asked if it was related to demands for protection money, the officer said, "We have noticed certain claims appearing in some places, but we need time to confirm whether they are true or not. The verification process is ongoing," he said.
