Israelis wave the national flag as the convoy of vehicles transporting the bodies of the four Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas, including the Bibas family, arrives at the entrance to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv on February 20. Photo by Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
By Louis Keene
February 20, 2025
Hamas delivered an unidentified body instead of Shiri Bibas in Thursday’s prisoner exchange, the IDF said, dealing a new wave of horror to a nation still grieving the deaths of her children.
The IDF confirmed it had identified the remains of the Bibas children, Ariel and Kfir, along with that of Oded Lifshitz, all of whom were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz in the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. It said the children had been murdered by Hamas in captivity in November 2023.
However, during the identification process, the IDF spokesperson account posted on X on Thursday evening, “it was determined that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage. This is an anonymous, unidentified body.”
“This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,” the post continued. “We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bibas family during this incredibly difficult time and remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure Shiri and all the hostages are brought home at the earliest opportunity.”
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