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Hamas does not return Shiri Bibas body in coffin is another woman: children instead slaughtered

Israeli authorities confirm that the returned body does not belong to Shiri Bibas. Israel accuses Hamas of violating cease-fire agreement. The body appears to belong to a Palestinian woman. Aierl and Kfir children were slaughtered and not killed by Israeli fire

In an incident that has further exacerbated tensions between Israel and Hamas, the bodies of little Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were kidnapped along with their mother Shiri from the Nir Oz kibbutz on Oct. 7, 2023, were returned yesterday, Feb. 20. However, what was supposed to be their mother’s body is not a match. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that, after identification conducted by the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, the body does not belong to Shiri Bibas. It is a Palestinian woman from the Gaza Strip, whose identity has not yet been established.

Ariel and Kfir’s deaths: killed during captivity

The confirmation of the deaths of little Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 10 months, has cast a shadow of deep sadness over the affair. Israeli authorities believe the children were brutally killed about a month after they were abducted, in sharp contrast to the version provided by Hamas, which had claimed they died during an Israeli airstrike. Israel accused Hamas militiamen of murdering them during their captivity, stressing the severity of the cruelty shown to the two innocents.

Netanyahu accuses Hamas of “cynicism and cruelty”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted vehemently to the discovery, accusing Hamas of “unspeakable cynicism.” In a video message, he denounced the militiamen’s choice to replace the body of Shiri Bibas with that of a Palestinian woman. Netanyahu said this action is a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement, which was signed with the aim of facilitating the return of hostages and bodies. He promised that Israel will not let this act go unpunished and that Hamas will pay for this betrayal of agreements.

The American response: the intervention of Adam Boehler

President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Adam Boehler, expressed disappointment at the failure to return Shiri Bibas’ body and reiterated the American demand for the release of all hostages still being held. Boehler stated that in addition to the four Americans still being held, Hamas must also release the bodies of other U.S. citizens to avoid a drastic military response. His words were clear: if Hamas does not comply, it will face serious military consequences.

The current situation: a delicate balance broken

The failure to return Shiri Bibas’ body is a major blow to mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas. This episode threatens to further undermine the already fragile truce, calling into question the effectiveness of the ceasefire agreements. Israel continues to demand the release of all its hostages, both dead and alive, and has vowed to intensify diplomatic and military pressure on Hamas for justice.

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