Hamas announced it will transfer four abductees tonight at 10 PM UTC, following intensified pressure from the IDF and security system, according to Israeli officials and Reuters. This development comes as mediators informed Israel that a number of abducted individuals are expected to be transferred tonight. The IDF issued an urgent statement warning Gaza Strip residents against approaching IDF forces in specified areas, deeming it extremely dangerous. The military echelon had demanded sanctions against Hamas, and these messages were conveyed to mediators, according to Almag Bokar Updates. Israeli officials emphasized that this pressure has led to a change in Hamas's stance. The transfer of abductees' bodies is considered an essential and inseparable part of any agreement by Israel, which has demanded maximum effort to locate them. The IDF statement specifically warned residents away from areas in northern Gaza, including Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Al-Shuja'iyya, as well as concentration areas according to a yellow line on a map. In southern Gaza, approaching the Rafah crossing, the Philadelphia axis, and concentration areas in Khan Yunis is also deemed extremely dangerous. Residents are forbidden from moving towards Israeli territory or approaching the buffer zone. Previous reports from October 14th indicated that Israel had refused to open the Rafah crossing for aid due to Hamas's failure to return all deceased hostages' bodies. The Red Cross has cited extensive destruction in Gaza as a difficulty in recovering bodies. The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights had previously called on Hamas militias to end extrajudicial executions, citing deep concern over field executions.
