In the midst of a fragile ceasefire, Hamas handed over four dead hostages to Israel, triggering international outrage. Israel has now stated that, contrary to Hamas’ claims, the body of German-Israeli Shiri Bibas was not among the corpses. The Israeli military confirmed that the body handed over by Hamas was not Shiri Bibas and did not match any other known hostage.

One of the bodies handed over by Hamas on Thursday was identified as not belonging to Shiri Bibas, according to the Israeli army. “The other body handed over does not belong to Shiri Bibas and does not match another kidnapped person,” the Israeli army stated. “It is an anonymous, unidentified body of a woman.” This incident is seen as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas.

Meanwhile, Israel has confirmed the identities of two child corpses handed over by Hamas. The bodies were identified as Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were kidnapped into the Gaza Strip more than 16 months ago. The army, after a forensic examination, stated that “Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally killed by Palestinian terrorists in November 2023.”

Army spokesman Avichay Adraee, in a statement on the Telegram online service, contradicted Hamas’ claims that the two children and their mother Shiri were killed by an Israeli air raid. He said, “Due to the assessment of the responsible authorities and based on ‘available intelligence findings and diagnostic indicators, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally killed by Palestinian terrorists in November 2023.'”

Previously, Hamas had handed over four dead hostages to Israel for the first time during the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The terrorist organization had announced that they were handing over the corpses of German-Israeli Shiri Bibas and her children Kfir and Ariel. According to Israel, this has now been refuted.

The staging of the corpse return triggered international outrage. The UN, the Israeli government, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed horror. Hamas had lined up the four coffins on a stage before handing them over to the Red Cross, with armed fighters also present. In the background of the stage, there was a large poster with photos of the hostages, showing Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a vampire.

Hostages Held for More Than 16 Months

Kfir and Ariel Bibas were the last children held as hostages by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas had kidnapped the toddlers and their parents, Shiri and Jarden, from the Kibbutz Nir OZ more than 16 months ago. Kfir was nine months old at the time, and his brother Ariel was four years old.

The images of the two red-haired boys and their desperate mother became a symbol of the brutal Hamas attack on the south of Israel on October 7, 2023. Jarden Bibas, held separately from his family, was released on February 1. Hamas had previously stated in November 2023 that Shiri Bibas and her children were killed by an Israeli air raid at the beginning of the war. However, the Israeli authorities did not confirm this.

Identification of an Older Male Hostage

The fourth body handed over by Hamas was identified as Oded Lifshitz. “With deep grief, we received the official and bitter message that confirms the identification of the body of our beloved Oded,” the family said in a statement. “503 painful days of uncertainty are over.”

The wife of Oded Lifshitz, born in 1940, was also dragged into the Gaza Strip during the Hamas terrorist attack more than 16 months ago. Yocheved Lifshitz was released two weeks later. “I went through hell,” she said at the time. The terrorists had raged in their Kibbutz Nir OZ, killed and kidnapped people. The daughter of the two recently reported that the concern was not to see her father alive again. “If he still lives, that would be a miracle,” she said.

The return of the corpses is part of the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which came into force on January 19. In the course of the first phase, 19 living Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.

A total of 33 hostages are to be released, of which, according to Israeli information, eight are dead. The release of six living hostages is planned for Israel for Saturday. Four other bodies are to be handed over in the course of the next week.

International Reactions and Implications

The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in the Gaza Strip, with the United Nations and various governments expressing concern over the handling of the hostage situation. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the return of the corpses. “The staging of the corpse return is a grave violation of human dignity and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Guterres stated.

In the United States, the Biden administration has been vocal about its support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas attacks. “We stand with Israel in its efforts to secure the release of all hostages and bring those responsible for these atrocities to justice,” said a White House spokesperson. The U.S. has been a key ally of Israel, providing military and diplomatic support in the region.

The situation in the Gaza Strip has drawn parallels to other hostage crises around the world, including the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-1981, where 52 American diplomats and citizens were held captive for 444 days. The prolonged captivity and the international outrage it sparked highlight the complex nature of hostage negotiations and the psychological impact on both the hostages and their families.

For the families of the hostages, the uncertainty and trauma are immense. The Bibas family, in particular, has been through a harrowing ordeal. The release of Jarden Bibas and the identification of his children’s bodies bring some closure, but the loss of Shiri Bibas and the ongoing uncertainty about her fate add layers of complexity to their grief.

The situation also raises questions about the effectiveness of ceasefire agreements and the role of international mediators. The UN and other international organizations have been working to broker a lasting peace in the region, but the ongoing violence and hostage situations highlight the challenges ahead. “We must continue to push for a lasting peace that respects the rights and dignity of all people in the region,” said a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Council.

Looking Ahead

The next steps in the ceasefire process are crucial. The release of the remaining hostages and the identification of the bodies are critical for the healing process of the families involved. The international community, including the United States, will continue to play a key role in supporting Israel and ensuring that justice is served.

As the situation in the Gaza Strip continues to evolve, it is essential to remain vigilant and supportive of efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. The international community must work together to address the root causes of conflict and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.

For the families of the hostages, the journey towards healing and justice is far from over. The international community must stand with them, providing support and ensuring that their voices are heard. The Bibas family and other families affected by this crisis deserve closure and justice, and the world must continue to advocate for their rights.