Over 500 days after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, the group released the remains of four Israelis.
Hamas identified the deceased as Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, along with Oded Lifshitz, a retired journalist and activist. Israeli authorities will verify these identities, a process that may take up to 48 hours.
At the time of their abduction, Shiri was 32, Ariel was 4, and Kfir was 9 months old. Their father, Yarden, who was also taken captive, survived and was released on February 1.
Lifshitz, a retired journalist and activist, was 83 when he and his then 85-year-old wife, Yocheved, were captured. His wife was released on October 23, 2023.
The handover occurred near Khan Younis around 9 a.m. local time on Thursday, before a large, reportedly jubilant crowd. Hamas arrived with four black coffins in separate vehicles.
“As the bodies of four Israeli hostages are transferred by Hamas to the Red Cross, hundreds of ‘innocent Gazans’ dance to music, and happily film this tragic event,” the Israeli Government Press Office stated on X. “Speechless doesn’t begin to describe how this makes us feel.”
The Red Cross subsequently transported the coffins to Israeli forces within the Gaza Strip.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his grief, stating on X, “Agony. Pain. There are no words. Our hearts — the hearts of an entire nation — lie in tatters. On behalf of the State of Israel, I bow my head and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not protecting you on that terrible day. Forgiveness for not bringing you home safely. May their memory be a blessing.”
This marks the first release of slain hostages since last month’s ceasefire.
A further exchange is scheduled for Saturday, with Hamas due to release six living hostages.
Approximately 70 hostages remain in Hamas custody. Almost all remaining hostages, including Israeli soldiers, are male, and about half are believed to be deceased.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.