Amid negotiations for hostages, the return of Bibas's body has raised concerns, with both sides pressing for clarity on the cease-fire terms.
Hamas Claims to Have Returned Correct Body of Israeli Hostage Shiri Bibas
Hamas Claims to Have Returned Correct Body of Israeli Hostage Shiri Bibas
Tensions escalate as Hamas asserts it has delivered the remains of Shiri Bibas following earlier confusion over identification.
Hamas announced on Friday that it has returned to the Red Cross what it claims to be the body of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother captured alongside her two young sons during the October 7, 2023, attacks. This announcement comes less than 24 hours after Israel determined that a body previously sent by Hamas did not belong to Ms. Bibas.
Initially, her remains were thought to have been repatriated to Israel in a recent exchange involving living Israeli hostages, but subsequent DNA testing contradicted that assertion. The International Committee of the Red Cross has yet to comment on their involvement in Friday’s transfer. The Israeli military is reviewing reports about the repatriation situation.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior figure in Hamas, stated they believe the body handed over was indeed that of Ms. Bibas. Other unnamed Hamas officials corroborated this claim, citing the critical nature of ensuring they provided the appropriate remains to avoid disrupting the fragile cease-fire agreement, which has seen 19 Israeli hostages exchanged for hundreds of Palestinians.
This incident highlights the ongoing complexities of the cease-fire, which has persisted for a month despite ongoing tensions. The return of remains, alongside the symbolic elements of the handover with public displays, underscores the emotional toll and political stakes for both Hamas and Israel amidst faltering peace efforts.
Yesterday, as part of the same exchange, Hamas delivered the remains of another Israeli hostage along with Bibas’s two children. However, Israel's forensic teams confirmed that one of the bodies was mistakenly identified as Ms. Bibas's. The military termed this error "a violation of utmost severity" that challenges the integrity of the cease-fire.
This phase of the cease-fire is nearing its conclusion, with pressure mounting on both parties as they navigate the terms to extend the agreement. Hamas also acknowledged the possibility of a mix-up or mistakes in the body transfer, bringing to light the fraught situation surrounding hostages and the psychological impacts on families involved.
Initially, her remains were thought to have been repatriated to Israel in a recent exchange involving living Israeli hostages, but subsequent DNA testing contradicted that assertion. The International Committee of the Red Cross has yet to comment on their involvement in Friday’s transfer. The Israeli military is reviewing reports about the repatriation situation.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior figure in Hamas, stated they believe the body handed over was indeed that of Ms. Bibas. Other unnamed Hamas officials corroborated this claim, citing the critical nature of ensuring they provided the appropriate remains to avoid disrupting the fragile cease-fire agreement, which has seen 19 Israeli hostages exchanged for hundreds of Palestinians.
This incident highlights the ongoing complexities of the cease-fire, which has persisted for a month despite ongoing tensions. The return of remains, alongside the symbolic elements of the handover with public displays, underscores the emotional toll and political stakes for both Hamas and Israel amidst faltering peace efforts.
Yesterday, as part of the same exchange, Hamas delivered the remains of another Israeli hostage along with Bibas’s two children. However, Israel's forensic teams confirmed that one of the bodies was mistakenly identified as Ms. Bibas's. The military termed this error "a violation of utmost severity" that challenges the integrity of the cease-fire.
This phase of the cease-fire is nearing its conclusion, with pressure mounting on both parties as they navigate the terms to extend the agreement. Hamas also acknowledged the possibility of a mix-up or mistakes in the body transfer, bringing to light the fraught situation surrounding hostages and the psychological impacts on families involved.
