The body of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli mother who was captured with her two young sons during an attack on October 7, 2023, by Hamas has been confirmed by the Red Cross. The Bibas family had lived in Nir Oz, and the news of her identification was shared by the kibbutz. Initially, Ms. Bibas’s remains were thought to have been repatriated to Israel on Thursday as part of a negotiated exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, Israeli officials determined through a DNA test that the body was not Ms. Bibas’s, which led to pressure on Hamas to produce the correct remains.
The announcement of Ms. Bibas’s identification marks the latest development in a series of crises during the first phase of a cease-fire with Hamas. The cease-fire has seen the exchange of 19 living Israeli hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Despite initial recriminations from both sides, the cease-fire has held for a month. Hamas’s swift action to find and return Ms. Bibas’s body indicates its commitment to upholding the agreement ahead of the next transfer planned for Saturday, avoiding any further jeopardization of the truce.
On Thursday, Hamas claimed to have handed over the remains of four hostages, including Ms. Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, as well as Oded Lifshitz. The identification of the remains of Ariel, Kfir, and Mr. Lifshitz was confirmed by a forensic institute in Tel Aviv. However, Israel later discovered that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas was not that of Ms. Bibas, leading to a violation of the cease-fire agreement. Hamas acknowledged the possibility of a mistake and promptly turned over another body, believed to be Ms. Bibas’s, to the Red Cross on Friday evening.
The confirmation of the identification of Ms. Bibas’s body on Saturday morning was announced by the Hostage Families Forum. The Bibas family expressed their pain and heartbreak in a statement, emphasizing the importance of the immediate return of the remaining hostages still in captivity. The family had hoped for closure after 16 months of uncertainty but found no comfort in the confirmation of Ms. Bibas’s body. They believe that the return of all hostages is crucial for their rehabilitation and urged for their release.
The efforts to identify and return the body of Shiri Bibas highlight the ongoing challenges and complexities of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The tragic story of Ms. Bibas and her family serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the importance of resolving it through peaceful means. As both sides navigate the delicate balance of the cease-fire agreement, the hope for the safe return of all hostages remains a central concern for their families and supporters. The demand for closure and justice continues to drive the efforts towards a lasting resolution to the conflict.
