Israel has received the bodies of four hostages who were captured during Hamas’s October 7 attack. This marks the first return of deceased captives since the ceasefire began last month.
The bodies are reportedly those of Shiri Bibas, 33, her two young sons (aged five and two), and Oded Lifschitz, 84, a peace activist. Israeli authorities await forensic confirmation of their identities. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed national anguish, stating “the heart of the entire nation is torn.”
In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Hamas staged a ceremonial handover, displaying four black coffins on a decorated stage before crowds. Red Cross officials processed documentation alongside Hamas fighters before transferring the coffins to Israeli forces. Israelis lined streets waving national and yellow hostage-support flags as police transported the bodies to Jaffa’s Abu Kabir forensic institute.
The Bibas family’s fate has particularly moved Israel. Their relatives expressed uncertainty, stating they are “in turmoil” while awaiting “definitive confirmation.” Hamas claimed in November that Shiri and her sons died in an Israeli airstrike, though this was unverified. The father, Yarden Bibas, was released on February 1 in a prisoner exchange.
Oded Lifschitz was taken from Nir Oz with his wife Yocheved, who was released two weeks after capture. He had been held by Islamic Jihad since October 7.
The body returns are part of the January 19 ceasefire agreement, which includes eight deceased hostages. The deal involves exchanging 33 hostages for approximately 1,900 prisoners over six weeks. So far, 28 hostages and over 1,000 prisoners have been exchanged. Six living hostages are scheduled for release Saturday.
Negotiations for the deal’s next phase, involving remaining hostages’ release and permanent war end, haven’t begun despite being planned for early this month. Currently, 66 hostages from October 7 remain in Gaza, plus three from previous years. About half are believed alive.
The October 7 attack killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with 251 taken hostage. Israel’s military response has resulted in at least 48,297 Palestinian deaths, primarily civilians, according to Hamas-run health ministry figures.
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