Families Mourn as Hamas Hostages’ Bodies Are Set to Return to Israel
Update: February 21, 2025: Israeli authorities have confirmed that the remains previously believed to belong to Shiri Bibas were misidentified and do not match her body. As a result, her remains have not been returned, and her whereabouts remain unknown. Updates will be announced as this story develops.
The bodies of four slain hostages were returned to Israel Thursday after 503 days in Hamas captivity. The hostages, Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, and her two sons Ariel and Kfir, were first taken hostage by Hamas at their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, when the terrorist group led a massacre in southern Israel. According to The Jerusalem Post, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were among the 33 names listed to be released from Hamas captivity under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal, but the revelation of their deaths was announced on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Yarden Bibas, the father of the Bibas children, was released as part of the hostage exchange, while Oded's wife, Yocheved Lifshitz, was released alive after 17 days in captivity.
"These are difficult hours for us after being informed that our beloved Oded is among the deceased hostages who will be returned to Israel tomorrow," his family announced." He was taken alive from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz."
"For 502 days, we hoped and prayed for a different outcome. However, until we receive absolute certainty, our journey is not over, and even afterward, we will continue to fight until the last hostage is returned."
"We ask the media and the public not to contact us about this matter at this time and to respect our privacy."
According to the Hostage Family Forum, "Shiri was a dedicated mother and accountant, known for her boundless kindness, who nurtured and cared for all the Kibbutz children. She touched everyone's heart with her capacity for giving and love for others. Ariel, just four years old when kidnapped, loved Batman and playing with tractors in the garden. Baby Kfir, not even one year old when taken, had gorgeous red hair and a smile that could melt any person."
As reported by the Times of Israel, out of the 251 hostages that Hamas kidnapped on October 7 were confirmed dead, while sixty-six remain hostage in Gaza, including at least 35 confirmed dead, according to the IDF.
Following the ceasefire that started on January 19, Hamas has freed 24 captives, including five military, five Thai nationals, and 14 Israeli citizens, in addition to the four bodies that were returned Thursday. Conversely, Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian terrorists and other prisoners are being released by Israel.
Additionally, the body of an IDF soldier slain in 2014 and two Israeli citizens who entered the Gaza Strip in 2014 and 2015 are being held by Hamas.
WATCH: Israeli Hostages Kfir, Ariel and Shiri Bibas are Dead, Hamas Announces | CBN News
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/CBN News
Originally published February 20, 2025.
