(Video) Hamas hands over bodies of Israeli children, hostages
Palestinian militants carry a coffin on the day Hamas hands over deceased hostages Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas and her two children Kfir and Ariel Bibas, seized during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, to the Red Cross, as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip February 20, 2025. (Reuters)
Hamas has handed over the bodies of Israeli infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother, Ariel, on Thursday, marking the first return of deceased hostages under the current ceasefire agreement.
The two boys, taken hostage during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, were among four bodies transferred to Israel. Their mother, Shiri Bibas, and another hostage, Oded Lifschitz, were also among those returned.
The group previously claimed in November that the mother and children had been killed in an Israeli Defence Force airstrike. Israeli authorities have since expressed deep concern over their fate.
Red Cross vehicles transported the four black coffins from Gaza, each adorned with a small picture of the hostages. Israel has yet to confirm the identities through DNA testing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the emotional weight of the day, stating, “A very difficult day for the state of Israel. An upsetting day, a day of grief.”
Despite tensions and accusations of ceasefire violations, the fragile truce, which began on January 19 with U.S.-backed mediation by Qatar and Egypt, has largely held.
Credit: Al Arabiya
Netanyahu’s decision to accept the ceasefire has drawn criticism from his far-right coalition allies, who argue that it strengthens Hamas. However, public sentiment in Israel remains in favor of continuing the deal until all hostages are returned.
As part of the agreement, six living hostages are expected to be released on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian detainees. In the first phase, Hamas agreed to free 33 hostages in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
With approximately 60 hostages still held in Gaza, negotiations for a second phase, including a potential Israeli troop withdrawal, are set to begin soon.
