A convoy carrying human remains believed to be those of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas has arrived in Tel Aviv for identification. The vehicles reached the city's Abu Kabir Forensics Center on Friday night, where mourners gathered outside, holding Israeli flags.
Initially, it was expected that Shiri Bibas, along with her sons Kfir and Ariel, and another captive, Oded Lifshitz, would be among the four bodies returned by Hamas on Thursday. However, forensic tests confirmed that the remains returned included those of the two boys and Lifshitz, but not that of Shiri Bibas or any other Israeli hostage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed outrage, revealing that the body believed to be Shiri Bibas' was actually that of an unidentified Gazan woman. He condemned Hamas for this deception, calling it an unimaginable cynical move.
The Israeli Health Ministry announced that efforts were underway to identify the latest body with speed and sensitivity. The International Committee of the Red Cross received a coffin from Hamas containing human remains, which were then transferred to Israeli authorities for further examination.
Hamas claimed that Shiri and the two boys were killed in an Israeli airstrike in 2023, suggesting a mix-up may have occurred with the bodies. However, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari refuted this, stating that forensic evidence indicated the boys were murdered by terrorists with their bare hands.
As the investigation continues, both Israeli and Palestinian authorities are working to determine the identities of the remains and shed light on the tragic events surrounding the Bibas family. The situation remains complex and sensitive, with emotions running high on all sides.
