A coffin is currently in the hands of the Red Cross and on its way to Israel, a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed on Friday.

The bodies of the youngest Israelis held hostage by the militant Hamas group have been returned to Israel, dashing the hopes of a nation hoping for a happier ending

Israeli police have reported a series of explosions on buses in central Israel in what they said appeared to be a militant attack. No injuries were reported.

Israeli police continue searching for suspects after explosions on several buses near Tel Aviv, with no casualties, authorities said.