Remains of Shiri Bibas positively identified after handed over by Hamas

The tragic story of Shiri Bibas, a woman who was presumed to have been one of four dead hostages killed by Hamas and handed over to Israel, has taken a heartbreaking turn as her body was positively identified on Saturday morning. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters confirmed the identification of Shiri Bibas, who was returned to Israel after Hamas initially handed over a Palestinian woman from Gaza.

Hamas handed over a coffin carrying Bibas’ remains to the Red Cross, which then passed the coffin to Israeli authorities. The coffin was taken to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification. The family released a statement expressing their pain and heartbreak upon receiving the news that Shiri was murdered in captivity and has now returned home to her family for rest.

Shiri was described as a wonderful mother to her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, a loving partner to her husband Yarden, a devoted sister and aunt, and an amazing friend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would “pay the full price” for allegedly handing over the body of a Palestinian woman instead of Bibas’ remains.

The Israeli military had previously identified the remains of Bibas’ two sons, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, as well as Oded Lifshitz. Four bodies were returned on Thursday, but the one expected to be holding Shiri Bibas was not holding any hostage. Hamas claimed that the dead hostages handed over had been killed by an Israeli airstrike in November 2023 and that the bodies could have been misidentified due to bombardments in the area.

Following the return of Shiri Bibas, the family is calling for the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Six hostages are set to be released on Saturday. The Bibas family emphasized the importance of bringing all hostages home, stating that there can be no closure without their return.

As the family continues to grapple with this devastating loss, they are pleading for the safe return of the remaining hostages. The Bibas family’s story serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict and the toll it takes on innocent lives.