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Hamas returns bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross
Hamas has begun transferring the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza, marking the first time the group has returned deceased captives since October 7, 2023.
Among them are Shiri Bibas, 32, and her two sons, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months), who were abducted from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, more than 16 months ago. The young boys became symbols of the October 7 attacks, making their return a deeply emotional moment for Israel.
The fourth victim is Oded Lifshitz, 83, who was kidnapped along with his wife, Yocheved Lifshitz, also from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Yocheved was released by Hamas on October 24, 2023.
Before the handover, Hamas militants placed four black caskets on a stage in Khan Younis, with a propaganda banner featuring slogans in Arabic, Hebrew, and English. A Red Cross representative was seen signing documents before the caskets were moved into waiting Red Cross vehicles. Screens were set up to obscure the transfer from public view, while militants and onlookers gathered at the scene.
In November 2023, Hamas claimed that the Bibas family members were killed in an Israeli airstrike but did not provide evidence, and Israel never confirmed their deaths. Earlier this month, the children's father, Yarden Bibas, was released after 484 days of captivity as part of the January 2025 ceasefire agreement.
The bodies have been transported to the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for examination. The Israeli military had previously retrieved the remains of other hostages held in Gaza.
This is a developing story. More to come …
