Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed outrage over a recent ceasefire violation by Hamas, vowing revenge for what he described as a 'cruel and malicious violation' of the agreement. The incident in question involved the release of a body by Hamas that was mistakenly identified as that of an Israeli mother of two young boys, Shiri Bibas.
The ceasefire, which has been in effect since January, has been a fragile one, with both sides exchanging hostages and prisoners as part of the agreement. However, the recent discovery that the body released by Hamas was not that of Shiri Bibas has cast doubt on the future of the ceasefire.
Israeli authorities confirmed that while the remains of two boys and another hostage were positively identified, the fourth body was found to be that of a woman from Gaza, not an Israeli hostage as claimed by Hamas. Netanyahu has pledged to work tirelessly to bring all Israeli hostages home and ensure that Hamas faces consequences for the violation.
The release of the wrong body has been met with shock and condemnation, with U.S. envoy Adam Boehler describing it as a 'horrific' and 'clear violation' of the ceasefire. The incident has raised concerns about the upcoming swap of hostages for prisoners scheduled for Saturday.
Meanwhile, a series of explosions targeting empty buses in central Israel has heightened tensions in the region, prompting Israel to increase its military presence in the West Bank. The situation remains volatile, with the ceasefire set to expire in early March.
Despite the challenges, efforts are ongoing to secure the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides, with thousands of casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza. The path to a lasting peace remains uncertain as both parties navigate complex political and humanitarian issues.
For more updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit AP's war coverage.
