Hamas return bodies of israeli hostages: Under the ongoing ceasefire agreement to end the Gaza war, Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday (February 20, 2025). These included a woman and her two young children, who were kidnapped during the attack on Israel in October 2023.
This is the first time Hamas has returned the bodies of hostages among the ceasefire. Israel has clarified that it will not officially confirm their identity until the DNA investigation is completed.
The bodies included Shiri Bibas (32), his sons Ariel (4) and Kefir, and Oded Lifshitz (83). Kefir, who was abducted with his mother and brother, was only nine months old. At the same time, retired journalist Lifshitz, who was campaigning for Palestinian rights and peace, was also a victim of kidnapping.
Hamas claims and Israeli response
Hamas announced in November 2023 that Shiri and his son Israeli were killed in a air strike, but no information related to his death was given. Similarly, the Israeli attacks were also held responsible for Lifshitz’s death. The Israeli government never confirmed these claims of Hamas.
Shiri Bibas’s husband Yorden Bibas was released earlier this month after 16 months of imprisonment. Lifshitz’s wife Yochevede, who was also abducted, was abandoned in November 2023 during a week’s ceasefire.
Hamas’s statement
Before handing over the dead bodies to the Red Cross, Hamas issued a statement, stating that he had given his full power to protect and preserve the lives of the hostages. He accused Israel that “cruel and continuous bombing stopped him from saving all the kidnapped people.” On Thursday, the mob gathered in Gaza’s Khan Younis city saw that armed Hamas members took four coffins in black and pseudo uniforms on one platform.
In this program organized by Hamas, the poster of a person standing near the coffins wrapped in Israeli flags was shown, with roots in the ground instead of the feet, to show that the land is of Palestinians. Another poster featured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a pointed tooth demon, which was written, “War criminal Netanyahu and his Nazi army killed him with missiles from Zioni war planes.”
Israel’s response and next step
The Prime Minister’s Office of Israel confirmed the attainment of coffins on behalf of the Red Cross and said that the families would be informed after completion of the identity process of the dead bodies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a brief video statement late on Wednesday night, “Yesterday will be a very difficult day for Israel. We are bringing our four beloved hostages home, who have been killed. The whole country has broken, but we It is firm to ensure that this never happens again. “
Bound exchange of hostages under ceasefire agreement
The ceasefire agreement, which came into force on January 19, is part of the exchange of Palestinian prisoners caught by Israel and the abducted Israeli hostage. After the hostage handed over on Thursday, six living hostages will be released on Saturday. In return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, which can include women and minors.
https://www.abplive.com/news/world/israel-four-hostages-bodies-will-return-by-hamas-including-mother-and-her-two-young-children-2888637
