The IDF says the four caskets handed over to them by the Red Cross, apparently containing the bodies of Israeli hostages, underwent a security screening.
Israeli troops also checked that the locks on the caskets can be opened, so there will be no delays at the Abu Kabir forensic institute when the bodies are brought there for identification.
The IDF says that all of the coffins can be opened, and a military ceremony in honor of the slain hostages has not yet begun.
In a short while, the ceremony led by IDF Chief Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim, should start.
Karim will read Psalm 83 as the bodies of the four hostages are draped in Israeli flags.
IDF troops will salute, and the coffins will be carried into military vehicles to be brought to Israel for identification.
Footage from the ceremony may be released later, should the families of the hostages approve it.
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
— Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist
Support our work
Support our work
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
