The remains of four hostages taken alive by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack were returned to Israel on Thursday, sparking nationwide grief.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the moment as heartbreaking. “The hearts of an entire nation lie in tatters,” he said, following the return of the bodies to Tel Aviv. In a post on social media, he added, “There are no words,” and asked the deceased for forgiveness “for not bringing you home safely.”
Hamas claims the bodies belong to a mother and her two children from the Bibas family, whose fate has been a subject of intense concern in Israel. However, Israeli authorities have so far only confirmed the identity of 84-year-old Oded Lifschitz, a veteran peace activist, after forensic examination.
This is the first time Hamas has returned the remains of captives since the ceasefire began last month. Meanwhile, six living hostages are expected to be released on Saturday.
Widespread Grief Over Bibas Family
News of the deaths of 33-year-old Shiri Bibas and her two sons, now aged five and two, has triggered an outpouring of sorrow across Israel.
In November 2023, Hamas claimed the three had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, though no evidence was provided. Israel never confirmed the claim.
Reacting to the news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was “united in unbearable grief. Every home in Israel bows its head today.”
“We all rage over the monsters of Hamas,” he added.
Dr Sharone Lifschitz, the British-based daughter of Oded Lifschitz, called the day “one of immense sadness, and of failure.”
The Handover in Gaza
The transfer of the bodies took place in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, in a highly choreographed event. The coffins were laid out on a stage adorned with propaganda, drawing comparisons to past hostage releases.
A backdrop featured an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with fangs, looming over a picture of the four hostages when they were alive. Another banner read: “The Return of the War = The Return of your Prisoners in Coffins.”
Among those present was Ikram Abu Salout, who told the BBC she opposed the handover. “They didn’t remove the rubble, and we don’t even know where our children and families are,” she said.
A Red Cross official was seen signing documents at a table alongside armed Hamas fighters before the coffins were transferred to vehicles belonging to the humanitarian organisation.
United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the nature of the handover, calling it “abhorrent and cruel, and [it] flies in the face of international law.”
“We urge that all returns are conducted in privacy, and with respect and care,” he said.
Return to Israel
Following the handover, the bodies were transferred to Israeli forces in Gaza and transported to Israel. Crowds lined the streets as a police convoy carrying the coffins passed by, with mourners waving Israeli flags and yellow banners symbolising the hostages. The remains were taken to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Jaffa for post-mortem examinations.
The Bibas family and Oded Lifschitz were among those abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz when hundreds of Hamas gunmen breached Israel’s borders, attacking civilians, security posts, and a music festival.
The Aftermath of October 7
The Hamas-led attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with 251 others taken hostage in Gaza. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Hamas, which, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has killed at least 48,297 Palestinians, primarily civilians.
One of the hostages, 35-year-old Yarden Bibas, was freed on February 1 in an exchange that saw three Israeli captives released in return for 183 Palestinian prisoners.
Oded Lifschitz had been held by the armed Palestinian group Islamic Jihad, while his wife, Yocheved, was released by Hamas on October 23, 2023.
Ongoing Ceasefire Talks
The return of the hostages’ remains was part of a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on January 19. Under the deal, a total of eight bodies are expected to be returned.
So far, 28 hostages and over 1,000 prisoners have been exchanged. The agreement outlined the release of 33 hostages in return for roughly 1,900 Palestinian detainees over the first six weeks of the truce.
Negotiations for the next phase, which could see the release of the remaining living hostages and an end to the war, were set to begin earlier this month but have not yet commenced.
Currently, 66 hostages taken on October 7 remain in Gaza, with about half believed to be alive. Additionally, three others who were abducted over a decade ago are still being held.
(BBC)
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