Israel Says Shiri Bibas' Body Is Not Among Those Delivered

The Israeli army announced early Friday that forensic examinations have shown that the body of Shiri Bibas, the mother of two young hostages who were killed, is not among the bodies delivered by Hamas. This comes as Hamas, the Palestinian group supported by the Iranian government, had previously claimed to have handed over the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel, as well as Oded Lifshitz, to Israeli authorities. The Israeli army has also confirmed that Kfir Bibas, aged 9 months, and Ariel Bibas, aged 4, were brutally murdered during captivity in November 2023. These findings do not support Hamas's claim that they were killed due to an Israeli airstrike and indicate that the two children lost their lives while in Palestinian captivity. The Israeli army states that one of the bodies delivered does not belong to any of the hostages and its identity is unknown. This situation has heightened tensions, with Israel accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations stated, "There are no words to describe such a crime. Hamas not only coldly murdered Ariel and Kfir Bibas, a four-year-old boy and a ten-month-old baby, but even after their deaths, it continues to violate all fundamental moral values. Dany Danon said that Hamas returned an unknown body instead of Shiri, the mother of Kfir and Ariel, as if it were a worthless shipment, and that the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council, and the General Assembly cannot continue to remain silent in the face of this barbarity. The Israeli ambassador to the UN emphasized that the Israeli government demands a clear condemnation of this heinous crime, stating that history will remember who stood by and remained silent while Hamas trampled on the most basic human principles. The delivery of hostages' bodies by Hamas is part of a broader agreement with Israel, and six more living hostages are expected to be released on Saturday in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, negotiations for the second phase of the hostage exchange are underway, which will include the return of about 60 remaining hostages and the possible withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The UN: Displaying the bodies of Israeli hostages was a "disgusting" act. A family member of Israeli hostages: Hostages were released during Trump's presidency. Hamas delivered the bodies of the mother and her two young sons to Israel. Ahead of the delivery of hostages' bodies, Netanyahu stated: A painful day awaits. Israel will begin negotiations on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire.