Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have recovered the bodies of four hostages, including 9-month-old Kfir Bibas, his 4-year-old brother Ariel, their mother Shiri Bibas, and elderly hostage Oded Lifshitz.
The hostages were taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack and were confirmed dead after months of uncertainty. Their bodies now returned to Israel.
Gaza based Palestinian resistance group Hamas handed over the bodies back to the Israel via Red Cross. The coffins of all four hostages were inscribed that they were killed ruing the Israeli raids on Gaza.
Hamas staged a public ceremony in Khan Yunis before releasing the bodies as they displayed images of the hostages and blamed Israel for their deaths, a claim Israeli officials strongly ‘rejected’.
Meanwhile, former Mossad official Rami Igra warned that Hamas is working to establish a governance model similar to Hezbollah in Lebanon, aiming to control Gaza while using the Palestinian Authority as a front.
As tensions remain high, Israeli leaders reaffirm their commitment to dismantling Hamas and securing the return of all hostages, while international mediators continue efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
