In a recent turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced strong criticism against Hamas militants for releasing the wrong body during the handover of Israeli hostages' remains. Instead of returning the body of Shiri Bibas, the mother of two young boys, they released the body of a woman from Gaza. The incident occurred amidst a fragile ceasefire agreement, which has temporarily halted fighting in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement released on Friday, Netanyahu denounced the handover as a “cruel and malicious violation” of the ceasefire agreement. He asserted that Hamas would “pay the full price” for this breach. The ceasefire, which has paused over 15 months of war, saw Hamas militants turning over four bodies on Thursday. Among these was the body of Oded Lifshitz, an 83-year-old who was abducted during the initial Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the positive identification of the remains of Shiri Bibas’ two young sons, Ariel and Kfir Bibas. However, they clarified that the fourth body was neither that of Shiri Bibas nor any other hostage. This discrepancy has added tension to the already delicate ceasefire situation.
Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized Israel's commitment to bringing Shiri Bibas home, along with all other hostages, whether alive or deceased. “We will work with determination to bring Shiri home together with all our hostages — both living and dead — and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and malicious violation of the agreement,” he stated.
In a poignant tribute, Netanyahu honored the memory of Oded Lifshitz, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, asserting that their “sacred memory will be forever enshrined in the heart of the nation.” He concluded with a solemn promise, “May God avenge their blood. And so we will avenge.”
