The release of Israeli hostages and the return of Palestinians to their Gaza homes has largely obscured the question of whether the war will now resume.

Hamas militants have released the bodies of four more hostages from the Gaza Strip more than 16 months after they were taken captive.

Near Tel Aviv, three buses exploded in a parking lot in a suspected attack that further rattled Israel after the return of the remains of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. A U.N. official called the taunting display during the handover "abhorrent and cruel.

Hostage families demanded clarification from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over stalled Phase 2 ceasefire talks, saying their loved ones are at risk.

Israel will start negotiations on a second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas as early as this week, aiming for the complete dismantling of the Palestinian group in Gaza.

Hamas says the fourth body is that of Oded Lifshitz, 84, a veteran peace activist. It will mark the first time the group will have handed over dead hostages since the ceasefire began last month. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said "the heart of the entire nation is torn",

Hamas said it’s ready to exchange its remaining Israeli hostages all at once with Palestinian prisoners during the Gaza truce’s second phase as a step leading to a “permanent ceasefire” and the full withdrawal of Israel’s forces from the enclave.