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"The hearts of an entire nation lie in tatters," Israel's president has said, as the bodies of four hostages taken alive by Hamas in its attack on 7 October 2023 were returned to Tel Aviv.
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.
President Isaac Herzog wrote "there are no words" in a post on social media platform X, asking the four for forgiveness "for not bringing you home safely".
It is the first time the group Hamas has returned captives dead since the ceasefire began last month, with Israel saying it will confirm their identities after forensic examinations.