The body of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother of two who was killed by Hamas, was allegedly handed over to Israel on Friday after the terror group failed to return her remains in an earlier transfer.
Hamas initially claimed that Bibas was among four hostages whose bodies were returned to Israel on Thursday. However, Israeli forensic experts found that the body labeled as hers belonged to an unidentified woman, sparking outrage. Following pressure from Israel, Hamas later transferred a coffin said to contain Bibas' remains through the Red Cross, which then passed it to Israeli authorities for formal identification.
The tragic incident follows the brutal killing of Bibas’ two children, four-year-old Ariel and ten-month-old Kfir, who were also abducted by Hamas. Israeli officials said the terrorists killed the children with their bare hands. Another body handed over on Thursday was believed to be Oded Lifshitz, an 84-year-old journalist and activist.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had been in contact with the Bibas family regarding the situation.
"For months, we prayed for the Bibas babies to come home. Yesterday, our worst nightmare was confirmed," said IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. "Kfir and Ariel were murdered in cold blood. The terrorists didn’t shoot them—they killed them with their bare hands. Then, they committed horrific acts to cover up their crimes."
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the situation "horrifying," condemning Hamas for its brutality. "This barbaric act is yet another undeniable testament to the unfathomable cruelty of those who continue to hold our loved ones captive," the group stated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep sorrow over the deaths. "Today is a tragic day. It’s a day of boundless sorrow, of indescribable pain," he said. "Four-year-old Ariel Bibas, his baby brother Kfir, and 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz were brutally murdered by Hamas savages."
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, accused Hamas of crossing "a new low." "Instead of returning Shiri, the mother of Kfir and Ariel, Hamas returned an unidentified body, as if it were a worthless shipment," he said.
The Bibas family was taken hostage during Hamas' deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Yarden Bibas, the father of Ariel and Kfir, was captured while trying to protect his family. He was released on February 1 as part of a hostage exchange. Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would be held accountable for its actions. "Hamas will pay the full price for this crime," he said
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