Seven wounded in suspected ramming, Israel seeks to extend Gaza deal's phase one

Hamas terrorists have repurposed unexploded material into improvised explosive devices and scanned properties for listening devices left behind by the IDF to track their movements, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, Hamas is monitoring Gaza for potential spies and has designated a separate unit to detect and counter any Israeli infiltration, Arab officials told the WSJ.

In addition, Hamas’s armed wing has appointed new commanders and begun repairing its underground tunnel network in preparation for the possibility of returning to war with Israel, according to officials.

Murdered hostage Tsachi Idan was returned to Israel on Wednesday night, his family confirmed via the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Tsachi was on the list of 33 hostages to be released in the first stage of a hostage-ceasefire deal. He was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz as his 18-year-old daughter, Mayaan, was murdered on October 7. 

"We are still waiting for the much-needed certainty, which we can only receive after his arrival in Israel and after all necessary examinations are conducted by the authorized state authorities," his family said in a statement on Wednesday.

Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wanted to impose sanctions on one of the IDF's most secret and elite intelligence units, Unit 504, former Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, told Ariel Kahana in an interview with Israel Hayom on Wednesday night.

"He had already decided," Herzog said. "We managed to prevent him from  bringing down the axe at the last minute." 

"There were difficult moments, and there were cases when the Americans went crazy," he continued. "More than once they really attacked me and said, 'You're crazy, you've fallen on your head, how could you do something like this that would lead to an escalation? You'll drag us into war because you didn't think it through to the end and then ask us to come and rescue you.' There were tough arguments about things Israel did that, in their eyes, was one step too far."

Shlomo Mantzur was confirmed to be one of the slain hostages returned to Israel overnight Wednesday, Kibbutz Kissufim announced on Thursday.

Hamas terrorists murdered Shlomo Mantzur on October 7, 2023, and have been holding his body since then, Kibbutz Kissufim announced earlier this month.

“With a heavy heart, we kibbutz members received the news this morning of the murder in Hamas captivity of our dear friend, Shlomo Mantzur… who was kidnapped from his home,” the kibbutz said on Tuesday.

Slain hostage Ohad Yahalomi's remains were returned to Israel on Wednesday night, his family confirmed after being informed by Israeli authorities.

Terrorists abducted French-Israeli national Ohad from Kibbutz Nir Oz after shooting him in the leg - the then-49-year-old had been attempting to fight off the invading gunmen entering his home. Now 50, Yahalomi is expected to be returned as part of the first phase of a Gaza hostage-ceasefire agreement.

On October 7, 2023, after learning of the approaching terrorists, Ohad sealed his wife, Batsheva, and their three children in their saferoom. The room’s door handle had broken, preventing the family from safely locking themselves inside - which led Ohad to sit in front of the door, guarding his family with only a handgun to protect them. 

Itzhak Elgarat has been confirmed as one of the four slain hostages that were released by Hamas on Wednesday night, Israeli media announced, citing Kibbutz Nir Oz on Thursday morning.

"We announce with deep sorrow the murder of Itzhak Elgert, who was kidnapped from his home on the kibbutz on Saturday, October 7, and murdered in captivity in Gaza," Kibbutz Nir Oz announced. "Itzhak, who was kidnapped at the age of 68, came to Nir Oz following his brother and beloved friend in the community. For years, he served the kibbutz with dedication as a groundskeeper and was responsible for plumbing, gas, and stream work.

"He was an integral part of the social scene, loved to hang out at the local pub, host friends, and connect generations. His great love of soccer and backgammon was a household name, and he starred in local games, always with a smile and good spirit. 

Itzhak Elgarat has been confirmed as one of the four slain hostages that were released by Hamas on Wednesday night, Israeli media announced, citing Kibbutz Nir Oz on Thursday morning.

"We announce with deep sorrow the murder of Itzhak Elgert, who was kidnapped from his home on the kibbutz on Saturday, October 7, and murdered in captivity in Gaza," Kibbutz Nir Oz announced. "Itzhak, who was kidnapped at the age of 68, came to Nir Oz following his brother and beloved friend in the community. For years, he served the kibbutz with dedication as a groundskeeper and was responsible for plumbing, gas, and stream work.

"He was an integral part of the social scene, loved to hang out at the local pub, host friends, and connect generations. His great love of soccer and backgammon was a household name, and he starred in local games, always with a smile and good spirit. 

"Itzhak left behind two children, a brother and two sisters. We will remember him for his laughter, his huge heart and his willingness to always be there for anyone in need."

Buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons arrived in Gaza, live footage showed on early Thursday. Israel had refused to release prisoners on Saturday after Shiri Bibas's remains were not returned as agreed upon in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. 

The Palestinian detainees due to be released include 445 men and 24 women and minors arrested in Gaza, as well as 151 prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis, according to a Hamas source.

A bus carrying a handful of the released Palestinian prisoners left Ofer prison in the West Bank and arrived in Ramallah shortly after, live footage showed.

The group got off the bus to cheers from hundreds congregated outside, with some of the released men - clad in green jackets and keffiyehs - hoisted aloft by the crowd.

Released prisoner Bilal Yassin, 42, told Reuters he had been in Israeli detention for 20 years. The West Bank native said he had faced oppression and poor conditions the entire time.

People gather to greet freed Palestinian prisoners, after they were released from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah, in the West Bank, February 27, 2025. (credit: Mohammed Torokman/Reuters)

Prisoners released to Gaza, West Bank

"Our sacrifices and imprisonment were not in vain," Yassin said. "We had confidence in the (Palestinian) resistance."

Nearly 100 more Palestinian prisoners were handed over to Egypt, where they will stay until another country accepts them, according to a Hamas source and Egyptian media.

Ambulances later arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, early on Thursday transporting freed Palestinians, who are set to undergo medical examination.

In total, 580 prisoners and detainees will be freed in Gaza, according to Hamas. Buses escorted by the Red Cross are expected to arrive in coming hours.

The first phase of the ceasefire included the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages in total for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some positions in Gaza as well as an influx of aid.

However, with the 42-day truce due to expire on Saturday, it remains unclear whether an extension that could see more of the 59 remaining hostages go free will happen or whether negotiations can begin on a second stage of the deal.

Hamas has stated that the only way the remaining hostages will be freed is through a commitment to a ceasefire deal.

Israel has completed the initial identification process of the four slain hostages, and the IDF and Israel Police are en route to Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, Israeli media announced Thursday morning.