Hamas returns Shiri Bibas's remains after body mix-up
What's the story
The Palestinian group Hamas has returned the remains of Israeli captive Shiri Bibas to her family after an initial misidentification incident. The Bibas family and her community, Kibbutz Nir Oz, confirmed the return on Saturday. The development comes after a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza was put at risk after a mix-up where Hamas mistakenly handed over an unidentified body instead of Shiri's.
Agreement breach
Ceasefire agreement and body mix-up details
Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas had promised to return the bodies of Shiri, her sons Kfir and Ariel, and a fourth captive. The group claimed they were killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023. However, one of the four bodies delivered by Hamas was not identified as Shiri Bibas by Israeli authorities. This prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accuse Hamas of violating the ceasefire deal.
Admission and accusation
Hamas admits error, blames Israeli bombings
Hamas admitted "the possibility of an error or mix-up of bodies," blaming Israeli bombings for mixing the bodies of captives and Palestinians. Hamas's Basem Naim said mistakes could happen under such circumstances. Gaza Government Media Office's Ismail al-Thawabta blamed Netanyahu for the deaths. The ceasefire deal was brokered with US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediation last month.
Upcoming negotiations
Ceasefire deal's next phase and national grief
The ceasefire deal also entails the release of six living captives in exchange for 602 Palestinian prisoners. Talks for a second phase of the ceasefire are likely to begin soon. The return of the bodies has triggered national mourning in Israel, with vigils being organized across the nation. Netanyahu vowed revenge against Hamas after their handover, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Hamas's display of coffins "abhorrent and appalling."
Abduction incident
Abduction details and Netanyahu's pledge
Shiri and her sons were abducted in an attack near Gaza's border. Kfir Bibas was just nine months old when he was taken with his family from Kibbutz Nir Oz. His father Yarden was released earlier this month in a prisoner exchange. Another hostage from Nir Oz, Oded Lifshitz, was also among those returned. After hearing of their deaths, Netanyahu vowed to "settle the score with the vile murderers."