Israel’s UN ambassador condemns Hamas’ ‘evil and depraved’ display of hostage coffins

The bodies of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas, as well as Oded Lifshitz, were finally returned to Israel after more than 500 days of being held hostage by Hamas. However, the terror organization did not stop at just holding them captive. In a shocking and disrespectful display, the coffins containing the remains of the four murdered Israeli hostages were put on stage in a ceremony that has been widely condemned.

The four coffins were laid out in front of a grotesque caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a banner that read, “The war criminal Netanyahu & his Nazi army killed them with missiles from Zionist warplanes.” This horrifying display included a photo of Shiri Bibas on the coffin allegedly containing her, along with the words “arrest date” and the date of the attacks on October 7. As of now, only the identity of Oded Lifshitz has been confirmed by Israel.

The United Nations Geneva condemned the ceremony, stating that under international law, the handover of deceased individuals must respect their dignity and the families of the deceased. However, many criticized the UN for not explicitly condemning Hamas by name. Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon called the ceremony “evil and depraved,” highlighting the lack of condemnation from international institutions like the UN towards Hamas.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who had previously equated Hamas’ attacks with Israel’s response, faced backlash for his handling of the situation. Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, Anne Bayefsky, accused Türk of being complicit in Palestinian terrorism and global antisemitism. UN Watch called for Türk’s resignation, citing his focus on condemning Israel over other human rights violations worldwide.

After the tragic events of October 7, Shiri Bibas and her young sons became symbols of Hamas’ brutality. The image of a terrified mother holding her children spread globally, highlighting the horrors of terrorism. Israel is now preparing to receive six living hostages as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was contacted for a response but did not provide one in time for publication. The return of the hostages’ bodies and the subsequent ceremony have sparked outrage and condemnation from around the world, highlighting the ongoing conflict and violence in the region.