Hamas has transferred the remains of Israeli captive Shiri Bibas to the Red Cross after Israel stated that her body was not among those released earlier this week.
Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television, citing senior official Mahmoud Mardwai, reported on Friday that the group had handed over Bibas’s body.
The Israeli military said on Friday it is checking reports that Hamas has handed the Red Cross a body said to be that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
On Friday, however, after forensic analysis, Israel said the body purported to be that of Shiri Bibas was not hers, with Netanyahu saying Hamas had “placed the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin”.
Hamas admitted “the possibility of an error or mix-up”, which it attributed to Israeli bombing of the area.
Netanyahu vowed to “ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement”.
In response, Hamas affirmed its “seriousness and full commitment” to its responsibilities under the ceasefire, and said it had “no interest in failing to comply or holding on to any bodies”.
It also asked Israel to return the body of the Palestinian woman.
