Israeli military confirms body released by Hamas is not Shiri Bibas

JERUSALEM, Feb 21 – The Israeli military has accused Hamas of breaching a fragile ceasefire agreement after one of the bodies it returned was found to be unrelated to any hostage held in Gaza. While two of the recovered bodies were identified as Kfir Bibas, an infant, and his four-year-old brother, Ariel, the third body, believed to be their mother, Shiri Bibas, remained unidentified, raising serious concerns.

"This is an extremely severe violation by the Hamas terrorist organization, which was obligated to return four deceased hostages under the agreement," the Israeli military stated, demanding the immediate return of Shiri Bibas and all remaining captives.

Meanwhile, the family of hostage Oded Lifshitz confirmed the formal identification of his body. Hamas has not issued an immediate response to the allegations.

The body transfer has intensified tensions, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing retaliation against Hamas. The handover was conducted in a highly publicized manner, with Palestinian militants presenting four black coffins before a large audience, including armed Hamas fighters. This spectacle was widely condemned, including by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who labeled it "abhorrent and appalling."

Under the ceasefire deal, brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, the remains of the Bibas children, their mother, and Lifshitz were expected to be returned. Israelis gathered along the Gaza border to pay their respects as the convoy carrying the coffins passed. In Tel Aviv, mourners gathered at Hostages Square, expressing their sorrow.

Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to eliminating Hamas, stating that the return of the four coffins reinforced the necessity of preventing another attack like the one on October 7, 2023. "Our loved ones’ blood demands justice," he declared.

The conflict, ongoing for over 16 months, has seen Israeli leaders repeatedly assert their goal of destroying Hamas and securing the return of the approximately 250 hostages abducted during the attack. The latest transfer of bodies was the first under the current agreement, with further negotiations expected to secure the release of additional living captives.

The Israeli military has stated that Kfir and Ariel Bibas were murdered in captivity in November 2023, while Lifshitz was killed over a year ago. The October 7 attack by Hamas-led militants resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 kidnappings. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has reportedly claimed 48,000 lives, according to Palestinian health officials.

As the situation unfolds, six living hostages are set to be released in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian detainees. Negotiations for a broader agreement, potentially involving the release of around 60 remaining hostages and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, are expected to commence soon.