Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after forensic tests revealed that one of the bodies returned from Gaza on Thursday was not that of Shiri Bibas.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the three other bodies handed over were identified as her sons, Ariel and Kfir, aged five and two, respectively, and Oded Lifshitz. However, the fourth body was neither Shiri nor any other hostage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged on Friday that Hamas had “placed the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin” instead.
Hamas has yet to respond to the accusation or to the IDF’s claim that the boys were “brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023,” based on intelligence and forensic evidence.
Previously, Hamas stated that Shiri and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023.
Israel has reiterated its demand for the return of Shiri’s body, along with the release of all remaining hostages.
“We will act with determination to bring Shiri home along with all our hostages – both living and dead – and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement,” Netanyahu said.
The IDF posted on X that “during the identification process, it was determined that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage. This is an anonymous, unidentified body.”
“This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organisation, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages. We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed deep anguish, stating they were “horrified and devastated” by the revelation that Shiri Bibas was not among those returned, despite the agreement and their desperate hopes.
Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, aged 32, four, and nine months respectively, were abducted during the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Their story has become a poignant symbol in Israel, and news of their deaths was met with widespread grief.
Yarden Bibas, 34, the children’s father, was released by Hamas on February 1.
Israel has confirmed that the fourth body returned on Thursday was that of veteran peace activist Oded Lifshitz.
The handover of hostages’ bodies was part of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19. Israel has stated it expects eight bodies in total to be handed over under the deal.
The ceasefire arrangement initially included the exchange of 33 hostages for approximately 1,900 prisoners within the first six weeks. However, negotiations to advance the deal—aimed at releasing all remaining living hostages and ending the conflict permanently—were expected to begin earlier this month but have yet to commence.
So far, 28 hostages and over 1,000 prisoners have been exchanged. Sixty-six hostages taken on October 7 remain in Gaza, along with three others captured more than a decade ago. Roughly half of the hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive.
The Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and 251 individuals were taken to Gaza as hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Hamas, which the Hamas-run health ministry reports has resulted in the deaths of at least 48,297 Palestinians, primarily civilians.
Additionally, on Thursday, three buses exploded in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, in what Israeli police suspect was a terror attack. Explosive devices on two other buses failed to detonate. No casualties have been reported.
In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the IDF has been ordered to conduct an “intensive operation against centers of terrorism” in the West Bank.