The bodies of the four Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas in Israel are now in Tel Aviv, having first presented the four coffins in a tent, a move that sparked intense outrage.

The convoy carried the bodies of the four Israeli hostages to the Tel Aviv forensic center, a French News Agency reporter said. It is believed to be three members of the Bibas family, namely an infant and a 4-year-old boy, who were the youngest captives of Hamas since the October 7 attack, their mother and the elderly Lifcic, who surrendered as part of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza reached last month.

Earlier, the IDF announced that the coffins of the four hostages were being taken “to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine to undergo an identification process”. Representatives of the Israel Defense Forces are accompanying the families of the hostages.

After the Red Cross delivered the dead, the coffins were checked for explosives.

Before transporting the bodies for formal DNA identification, a process that can take up to two days, the military planned to hold a small funeral ceremony at the request of the families.

Israeli television stations did not broadcast the delivery. In Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where Israelis gathered to watch the release of the live hostages, a large screen showed a collection of photographs of Lifshich and the Biba family. Among them was a laughing baby and the family, dressed in Batman costumes.

Meanwhile, dozens of Israelis, carrying flags, gathered along the route taken by the convoy carrying the bodies.

The coffins were lined up in a tent in Han Younis before being taken to the Red Cross this morning.

“By international law, any handover of the remains of the dead must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the dead and their families,” Falker Turk said in a statement.