Hamas to Hand Over Hostages’ Remains as Part of Ceasefire Agreement
The hostage crisis between Israel and Hamas has taken a new turn as the Palestinian militant group prepares to return the remains of four Israeli hostages.
Among them are members of the Bibas family, who became symbols of the tragedy since their capture during the October 7, 2023 attack.
According to reports, the handover will take place in Khan Yunis, a city in southern Gaza. This marks the first time Hamas has returned bodies of hostages since the war began.
Who Were the Hostages?
The victims being repatriated include:
- Shiri Bibas
- Her sons, Kfir and Ariel
- Oded Lifshitz
A widely circulated video from the October 7 attack showed Hamas militants kidnapping Shiri and her two children—Ariel (then 4) and Kfir (just 9 months old).
Their father, Yarden Bibas, was abducted separately but was released earlier this month in a prisoner exchange deal.
Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage Exchange
The return of the hostages’ bodies is part of a fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which began on January 19, 2025, after 15 months of intense conflict in Gaza.
So far, 19 Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, facilitated by the Red Cross.
However, Israel has confirmed that eight more hostages have died in captivity.
Netanyahu: A Heartbreaking Day for Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the tragic moment, calling it:
“A very difficult day for the State of Israel—a heartbreaking day, a day of grief.”
Meanwhile, the Bibas family remains skeptical about the circumstances of their loved ones’ deaths. Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, but Israel has never confirmed this version of events.
What’s Next?
- The bodies of eight more hostages are expected to be returned in the coming days.
- A new round of negotiations is set to begin for the next phase of the ceasefire, which may involve the release of all remaining captives in Gaza.
- Israeli forensic teams in Tel Aviv are on high alert to confirm the identities of the remains.
With 70 hostages still held in Gaza and the war’s death toll climbing, global pressure is mounting for a more permanent peace deal.
For more breaking news on the Israel-Hamas conflict, stay updated with NIGPOST.
Leave a Reply