'Not Bibas mother': Israel accuses Hamas of returning different body
21 Feb 2025

The Israeli military has confirmed the identities of two children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, whose remains were returned from Gaza.

However, they said a third body handed over by Hamas wasn't their mother, Shiri Bibas, or any other Israeli hostage.

Military spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Telegram that "the other body handed over does not belong to Shiri Bibas and does not match any other kidnapped individuals."

Israeli military accuses Palestinian 'terrorists' of killing Bibas boys
Accusations made

He further accused Palestinian "terrorists" of killing Ariel and Kfir in captivity in November 2023, refuting Hamas's assertion that they died in an Israeli airstrike.

The bodies were part of a handover by Hamas under a ceasefire agreement. This exchange also included the remains of Oded Lifshitz, a veteran journalist and peace activist.

The discovery that Bibas's body had not been returned as promised by Hamas made the future of the ongoing hostage-ceasefire agreement look more shaky than ever.

DNA doesn't match
Violation

"This is a very serious violation by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is required by the agreement to return four dead hostages," said the IDF.

Forensic scientists examined the body extensively, comparing her DNA to that of other female hostages, but Hebrew media reports indicated there were no matches.

According to the IDF statement, police were also able to conclude that the two young boys were "brutally murdered" by terrorists in November 2023 based on forensic evidence and intelligence.

Ceasefire deal leads to 2nd phase of negotiations
Negotiations underway

The ceasefire deal brokered with the help of the US, Qatar, and Egypt seeks to end the 15-month-long war.

It is a three-phased plan focused on hostages and prisoners' exchange between Israel and Hamas.

Under the deal, Hamas will free six living hostages and return the bodies of the four hostages.

The six people are the last living hostages set to be freed in the first phase in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

Father was released on February 1
Condemnation expressed

The warring parties have yet to negotiate the second, more difficult phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in exchange for a long-term ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.

Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, were four years and nine months old at the time of their abduction.

Yarden, the father, was abducted separately by Hamas terrorists after leaving their room in an attempt to distract the gunmen and save his family.

He was released on February 1.