Day 510 - 4 more hostage bodies arrive home, after Bibas burial

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute
audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and
the Jewish world.


ToI founding editor David Horovitz joins host
Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing.


Following the heartbreaking Wednesday afternoon burial of Shiri
Bibas, Ariel Bibas and Kfir Bibas, Israel receives the bodies of
four more hostage bodies, Itzik Elgarat, Tsahi Idan, Ohad
Yahalomi and Shlomo Mantzour, received in the middle of the night
on Wednesday.


Horovitz discusses the ongoing national mourning for the
hostages, including the outpouring of sorrow for the Bibas
family, who became a symbol of the October 7 tragedy,
highlighting the emotional toll on the mourning families and the
nation as a whole.


The return of the four hostage bodies marks the end of the first
phase of the hostage deal, and Horovitz reviews Israel's military
strategy and political dynamics that are closely intertwined in
the negotiations.


Horovitz also examines how Hamas is perceived by the US, and the
role of Qatar in the conflict, reflecting on the need for a
comprehensive approach to tackle the ideology behind Hamas and
reeducate the region.


Please see today's ongoing live blog for more
updates.


Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple
Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your
podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


For further reading:


‘Bitter news’: Israel confirms identities of 4 bodies of
hostages returned from Gaza


Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas buried in a single casket:
‘They will remain together’


With orange balloons and cries of ‘sorry,’ masses line
route of Bibas funeral procession


What Israel’s leaders, Donald Trump, and the rest of the
free world owe Yarden Bibas


IMAGE: People pay their respects along the convoy carrying the
bodies of hostages Shiri Bibas, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, in Rishon
LeZion, February 26, 2025. (Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.