Hamas Returns Bodies of Four Israeli Hostages Under Ceasefire

Hamas on Thursday returned the remains of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, as part of the ongoing ceasefire efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza. The exchange, facilitated by the Red Cross, marked the first time the militant group handed over the bodies of captives since the war began in October 2023.

Israeli officials stated that full identification of the remains would be confirmed through DNA testing before official announcements on their identities.

The bodies recovered belonged to Shiri Bibas, 32, her two sons—four-year-old Ariel and Kfir, who was nine months old when abducted—and 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, a journalist known for advocating Palestinian rights. Hamas had captured them during its attack on Israel in October 2023.

In November, Hamas had claimed Shiri Bibas and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike, though no independent verification of this claim was made. The group cited similar circumstances for Lifshitz’s death.

The boys’ father, Yarden Bibas, who was abducted separately, was released earlier this month following 16 months in captivity. Lifshitz’s wife, Yocheved, was freed in November 2023 during a temporary ceasefire agreement.

Ahead of the handover, Hamas issued a statement saying it had taken all possible measures to safeguard hostages but blamed ongoing Israeli military operations for preventing further rescues.

The return of the bodies took place in Khan Younis, where armed Hamas members in black and camouflage uniforms transferred the coffins in a staged ceremony. Banners and posters at the site included depictions of Israeli leaders, with Hamas accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of bearing responsibility for the captives' deaths.

Following the transfer, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed receipt of the bodies via the Red Cross and stated that official notifications to families would be made upon completion of identification procedures.

Addressing the nation in a video message late Wednesday, Netanyahu called the moment a day of national mourning. “We are bringing home four hostages who have fallen. This is a day of pain and sorrow, but also a reminder of what we are facing,” he said.

The ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, has remained largely intact despite periodic accusations of violations from both sides. Under the agreement, hostages held by Hamas are being exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli custody.

The next phase of the deal, scheduled for Saturday, involves the release of six Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

To date, 19 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals have been freed. The ongoing negotiations aim to secure the return of approximately 60 remaining hostages and push for a broader withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as discussions continue toward a potential resolution to the conflict.