There had been fears that the ceasefire might collapse at the weekend when Hamas released six Israeli hostages, but Netanyahu’s security cabinet delayed the release of 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees who were due to be freed in exchange, arguing Hamas had violated the terms of the deal by staging propaganda ceremonies each time hostages were handed over.
Her husband and the boys’ father, Yarden, had also been taken hostage in the Hamas attack, but was released under the ceasefire deal earlier this month, and discovered only then that his family had been killed.
Israeli officials confirmed to reporters overnight earlier Egyptian press reports saying a deal had been done to exchange the bodies for the Palestinian prisoners, but added that the Palestinians would be transferred in batches.
National outpouring of grief comes amid reports that deal reached to resume ceasefire deal with Hamas.
In her eulogy at the funeral, Ofri was bitterly critical of the Netanyahu government for prioritising the destruction of Hamas over an earlier negotiated hostage release.
