The body of Shiri Bibas, a woman presumed to be one of the four hostages slain by Hamas, was reportedly handed over to Israeli authorities by the terror group. Hamas delivered a coffin, allegedly containing her remains, to the Red Cross on Friday. The body was subsequently transferred to Israeli officials for forensic identification. This follows Israel’s request for the return of Bibas’ body after a previous discrepancy involving her remains was discovered the day before.
Shiri Bibas’ Identity Confirmed After Investigation, Revealing Brutal Killing of Her Children by Hamas
Initially, Shiri Bibas was believed to be one of the four hostages returned by Hamas on Thursday. However, following an investigation by Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine, only her two young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, aged four and ten months, were positively identified. The body initially identified as Bibas’ was found to belong to another woman, sparking outrage across Israel. This led to further investigation and the eventual return of a separate body identified as Bibas’ on Friday.
Israel Recovers Shiri Bibas’ Body After Hamas Hostage Killing Amid Global CondemnationShiri Bibas and her two children were abducted by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Her husband, Yarden Bibas, was also taken but was returned in early February as part of a hostage exchange agreement. The Bibas family had endured months of uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones, with the tragic confirmation of the children’s brutal deaths coming just days ago. Israeli officials reported that the young boys were killed with bare hands, a shocking and horrifying detail that intensified the grief and anger surrounding their deaths.
Global Outrage Over Hamas’ Brutal Actions; Israel Vows Accountability for Victims’ Justice
The brutality of Hamas’ actions in this case has been widely condemned. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed profound sorrow and outrage over the murders of Kfir and Ariel. Netanyahu described the situation as a day of “boundless sorrow,” underscoring the unimaginable cruelty inflicted on the Bibas family.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, criticized Hamas for violating all basic moral principles, particularly in their handling of the Bibas family’s remains. The failure to return Shiri Bibas’ body at the same time as the children’s has been seen as another indication of the terror group’s inhumanity.
The Bibas family’s ordeal has drawn widespread support and condemnation from various quarters. The Hostages and Missing Families forum denounced the killings and expressed the emotional devastation caused by the news. In response to Hamas’ failure to return Shiri Bibas’ body, Israeli officials vowed to hold the terror group accountable.
Netanyahu made it clear that Hamas would “pay the full price” for their actions, and he promised to seek justice for the victims, including through potential military retaliation. The Israeli Defense Forces continue to communicate with the Bibas family, as the country prepares for further actions following the tragic developments.