Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including members of the Bibas family, who were abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The transfer took place in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, under the supervision of the Red Cross.
The bodies of Shiri Bibas, her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, and a fourth captive, Oded Lifshitz, were returned to Israel as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement. The Bibas family members became national symbols of the ordeal that has gripped Israel since the Gaza war began.
The Israeli military confirmed that the bodies were handed over, and the national forensic medicine institute in Tel Aviv has mobilized a team of doctors to expedite the identification process.
The ceasefire in Gaza has held despite accusations of violations on both sides. Talks are expected to begin soon on the truce’s second phase, which is expected to lay out a more permanent end to the war.
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu stated that Hamas is ready to free all remaining hostages held in Gaza in a single swap during phase two. However, the number of hostages currently being held by Hamas or other militant groups is unclear.
Source: Vanguard
