Hamas did return the body of Shiri Bibas after admitting the unidentified body they originally sent was not Shiri. They also released 6 hostages on Saturday, forcing others who remained captive to watch the staged ceremony of the handover. Both of these actions look to me like intentional psychological warfare ploys.
The Israeli Forensics Institute confirmed that the bodies of the 2 Bibas children had no indication of being injured, let alone killed, by bombing. On the contrary, the children appeared to have been beaten, and then annually strangled, not too long after their initial abduction. This is just one more indication that Hamas cannot be trusted.
One former terrorist that had been released was found dead after being thrown from the roof of his apartment building. This is what Hamas did to all the former Fatah employees in Gaza after they took control. It also explains why many prisoners due to be released by Israel are asking to remain (alive) in Israeli prison.
The Palestinian Authority, with much fanfare, announced the end of their “pay to slay” program for terrorists in Israeli prisons. What they actually did was just rename the program as a branch of social aid to the families and appoint a new overseer. De facto, the payments continue as before, but under a different name. This added fact, naturally, escaped the notice of the media who widely reported on the first part of the action.
The Houthis in Yemen launched an ground to air missile at a USAF F-16. It missed. What that means with regard to US attacks in Yemen to dissuade the Houthis from their illegal blockade of shipping remain to be seen.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Army “maneuvers” in Sinai and Iranian statements and preparation for a future attack on Israel are being closely watched (but not widely reported).
Wetherhorn 