Israeli Hostage's Body Identified Following Hamas 'Mix-Up'
The Palestinian militant group faced allegations of breaching the Gaza ceasefire agreement after mistakenly delivering the incorrect remains.
TroibNews 
The family of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas has confirmed that they have identified her remains after Hamas initially delivered the incorrect body earlier this week. In a statement released on Saturday, her relatives asserted that Bibas had been “murdered in captivity.”
On Thursday, as part of ongoing exchanges under a fragile ceasefire agreement, Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages, including Bibas’ two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. However, the body that was believed to be that of Shiri Bibas was later identified as an unidentified Palestinian woman, sparking outrage across Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the situation, describing it as a “cruel and evil violation” of the ceasefire agreement and warned that Hamas would pay “the full price” for not bringing Bibas’ body home.
Hamas acknowledged the mistake, admitting “the possibility of an error or mix-up of bodies” in the rubble after an Israeli airstrike hit the location where she was held. The group emphasized its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and pledged to correct the error.
On Friday, the Associated Press reported that the Palestinian group handed over the woman’s remains to the Red Cross, which then forwarded them to Israeli authorities. In a statement released on Saturday morning, Bibas’ family confirmed the handover, stating that “Last night, our Shiri was returned home.”
“Following the identification process at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, we received this morning the news we had dreaded - our Shiri was murdered in captivity and has now returned home to her sons, husband, sister, and all her family for rest,” the family expressed.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified in October 2023, after Palestinian militants launched attacks on Israeli territories near Gaza, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 250 hostages. In response, Israel has conducted a large-scale military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which has led to nearly 47,000 casualties, according to health authorities in the enclave.
Thursday’s release marked the first time Hamas had returned bodies to Israel since the announcement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement last month. The broader framework of this deal entails the release of 33 Israeli hostages and around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas is anticipated to release six Israeli hostages this weekend, which would fulfill the first phase of the current ceasefire agreement. Next week, the group is expected to release the remains of four additional hostages.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Thursday, as part of ongoing exchanges under a fragile ceasefire agreement, Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages, including Bibas’ two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. However, the body that was believed to be that of Shiri Bibas was later identified as an unidentified Palestinian woman, sparking outrage across Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the situation, describing it as a “cruel and evil violation” of the ceasefire agreement and warned that Hamas would pay “the full price” for not bringing Bibas’ body home.
Hamas acknowledged the mistake, admitting “the possibility of an error or mix-up of bodies” in the rubble after an Israeli airstrike hit the location where she was held. The group emphasized its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and pledged to correct the error.
On Friday, the Associated Press reported that the Palestinian group handed over the woman’s remains to the Red Cross, which then forwarded them to Israeli authorities. In a statement released on Saturday morning, Bibas’ family confirmed the handover, stating that “Last night, our Shiri was returned home.”
“Following the identification process at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, we received this morning the news we had dreaded - our Shiri was murdered in captivity and has now returned home to her sons, husband, sister, and all her family for rest,” the family expressed.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified in October 2023, after Palestinian militants launched attacks on Israeli territories near Gaza, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 250 hostages. In response, Israel has conducted a large-scale military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which has led to nearly 47,000 casualties, according to health authorities in the enclave.
Thursday’s release marked the first time Hamas had returned bodies to Israel since the announcement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement last month. The broader framework of this deal entails the release of 33 Israeli hostages and around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas is anticipated to release six Israeli hostages this weekend, which would fulfill the first phase of the current ceasefire agreement. Next week, the group is expected to release the remains of four additional hostages.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
