Hamas has transferred the remains of four hostages to the Red Cross, individuals who were captured during the group’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Among those deceased are believed to be members of the Bibas family—a mother and two children—whose fate has been a source of intense concern in Israel, as well as Oded Lifschitz, an 84-year-old peace activist. This marks the first instance of Hamas returning deceased hostages since the commencement of the recent ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed profound grief, describing the situation as “heart-wrenching” and condemning the actions of “monsters.”
The transfer of the bodies, reminiscent of previous hostage exchanges, involved coffins displayed in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, before being transported by Red Cross vehicles to Israeli authorities. The Red Cross had previously urged Hamas to conduct the handover with dignity, following criticism of earlier hostage releases.
The reported deaths of Shiri Bibas, 33, and her sons, now aged five and two, have elicited widespread mourning in Israel. The Israeli government has stated that official confirmation of the deceased’s identities will occur after forensic analysis. The Bibas family expressed their distress, emphasizing that their ordeal continues until definitive confirmation is received.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas remain unclear. Hamas had previously claimed they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, a claim that was not confirmed by Israeli officials.
The Bibas family, including father Yarden, were abducted from kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7th attacks. The attacks resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel and the capture of 251 hostages. Israel subsequently launched a military operation in Gaza, resulting in a reported 48,297 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Yarden Bibas was released on February 1st as part of a prisoner exchange. Oded Lifschitz and his wife, Yocheved, were also taken from Nir Oz. Yocheved Lifschitz was released by Hamas two weeks later. Oded Lifschitz was held by Islamic Jihad.
The return of hostage bodies was part of a ceasefire agreement that began on January 19th. The agreement stipulated the exchange of 33 hostages for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. To date, 24 hostages and over 1,000 prisoners have been exchanged.
Seventy hostages remain in Gaza, along with three others captured over a decade ago. It is believed that approximately half of the remaining hostages are alive.
