 "A person holds a placards as people gather to mark the second birthday of the youngest hostage in Gaza, Kfir Bibas, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 2023 attack by Hamas alongside his mother, Shiri, and brother, Ariel in Tel Aviv. Now, Hamas will release their bodies back to Israel. File image/Reuters")
Israel said on Friday that one of the four bodies released by Hamas does not belong to any of the hostages held in Gaza, accusing the Palestinian armed group of violating the ‘fragile’ ceasefire.
“The additional body is not that of their mother, Shiri, nor that of any other Israeli hostage,” the Israeli military statement said.
Hamas handed over four bodies of ‘slain’ hostages to Israel on Thursday, one of which was believed to be that of Shiri Bibas.
The bodies of slain hostages Oded Lifshitz and children Ariel Bibas and Kfir Bibas were identified after their remains were returned to Israel on Thursday. Shiri is the mother of Ariel and Kfir Bibas.
“This is a very serious violation by the Hamas terrorist organisation, which is required by the agreement to return four dead hostages,” the IDF said. The Israeli military emphasised the immediate release of the hostages and demanded that Hamas return Shiri’s body home, along with all other hostages.
The specialists at Israel’s Abu Kabir Forensic Institute were not able to identify the fourth body released by the Palestinian armed group.
The family of hostage Oded Lifshitz said in a statement that his body had been formally identified.
Grief in Israel over death of ‘slain’ hostages
The handover of bodies prompted nationwide grief, with crowds waving flags along highways in the rain as the convoy carrying the coffins was moving. Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv for an emotional nighttime vigil.
Netanyahu vows revenge
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed revenge on Hamas after the group handed over the remains of four hostages, including Kfir and Ariel, the youngest victims of the October 7, 2023, attack.
‘Fragile’ ceasefire
Israel and Hamas are concluded a ceasefire agreement that commenced on January 19, ending a 15-month long conflict in Gaza.
As part of the truce deal, Hamas has released several hostages, meanwhile, in return, Israel is freeing Palestinian prisoners.