Israel has received the bodies of four hostages taken alive by Hamas in its attack on 7 October 2023.It is the first time the group has returned captives dead since the ceasefire began last month.Hamas says the bodies are those of a mother and two children from the Bibas family, whose unknown fate has gripped Israel, and Oded Lifschitz, 84, a veteran peace activist.Israel says it will confirm their identities after forensic examinations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “The heart of the entire nation is torn”, adding that Israel was dealing with “monsters”.In choreographed scenes reminiscent of recent handovers of living hostages, four black coffins were laid out on a stage decked with propaganda in Khan Younis in southern Gaza in front of crowds of spectators.A Red Cross official appeared to sign documents at a table alongside armed Hamas fighters before the coffins were driven away in Red Cross vehicles. n18oc_world n18oc_crux