Hamas has returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages in a handover facilitated by the Red Cross, a moment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “wrenching day, a day of grief” for the country.
Among the remains are those believed to be Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, who were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023, terror attacks. Kfir, the youngest known hostage, was just nine months old when he was taken. The fourth body is said to be that of 83-year-old Oded Lifschitz, a great-grandfather and longtime peace activist.
Hamas Turns Handover Into Propaganda Stunt
Before the remains were transferred, Hamas staged a grim display in Khan Younis, placing the four black coffins on a platform draped with messages blaming Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for the hostages’ deaths. The backdrop featured an image of Netanyahu depicted as a vampire, dripping blood over the victims. The militant group claims the Bibas family was killed during an Israeli bombardment in November, while Lifschitz allegedly died in a separate Israeli strike—assertions that Israel has never officially confirmed.
Bodies Transferred, Nation in Mourning
The remains were handed over to Israeli authorities at a designated transfer point in Gaza before being transported to Tel Aviv for forensic identification. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the handover in a statement, urging the public to respect the families’ privacy and avoid speculation.
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“The families of the abductees have been informed, and our hearts go out to them at this difficult time,” the statement read. “After the identification process, an official announcement will be made.”
The IDF later confirmed that the remains had been brought into Israel and taken to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for verification. The identification process could take time, depending on the condition of the bodies, officials said.
A Nation Pauses as the Convoy Moves North
As the convoy carrying the bodies traveled north toward Tel Aviv, grieving Israelis lined the highways in silence. In Tel Aviv, a large poster of Kfir Bibas—smiling and playing with a toy—was projected onto a building, a haunting reminder of the youngest life lost.
This marks the first time Hamas has released the bodies of deceased hostages during the current six-week ceasefire. It remains unclear if further exchanges will follow.
