Israel Says Body of Hamas Hostage Shiri Bibas Was Not Returned with Young Sons’ Remains

Mar. 15, 2025

Shiri Bibas with one of her two sons.Photo:AFP via Getty

AFP via Getty

The Israeli military claims that the body of hostage Shiri Bibas was not returned with her young son’s remains.

The Israeli military made the claim in astatementon Thursday, Feb. 20 — a day afterHamas confirmed the death of Shiri and her two sons, Kfir and Ariel. Peace activistOded Lifshitz, 83, was also confirmed dead.

Hamas had agreed to quickly release the “four slain hostages” and release an additional “six living hostages” on Feb. 22.

Kfir and Ariel Bibas.Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

They said that Ariel Bibas was four years old at the time of his death, and Kfir was 10 months old at the time of his death.

According to the Israeli military, during the identification process, it was determined that the fourth body was no match for any other hostage, including Shiri, and therefore was an “anonymous, unidentified body.”

“We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages,” their statement added.

ABOOD ABUSALAMA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty

While Hamas has not responded to the Israeli military’s claims, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem proposed releasing the remaining prisoners in “one go” on Wednesday as part of the second phase of their of their agreement.

The deal, in which Israel is expected to surrender Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, wasagreed upon in January.

“We are ready for a second phase in which the prisoners will be exchanged in one go, within the criterion of reaching an agreement that leads to a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Strip,” Qassem said, perAl Jazeera.

Kfir and Ariel were abducted alongside their mother from their home in Nir Oz during theOct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the Israeli military said.

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Yarden Bibas, the boys' father, according to the Israeli military, had gone out to protect his family and was abducted before their abduction. He wasreturned aliveon Feb. 1.

source: people.com