President Donald Trump’s Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, has issued a stern warning to Hamas regarding the release of hostages held in Gaza. Boehler urged Hamas to release the body of Shiri Bibas and all remaining hostages or face severe consequences.
The situation escalated after Israel reported that a body, which did not match any Israeli hostages, was handed over as part of a ceasefire agreement. Boehler condemned this act as a clear violation of the deal and expressed shock at the revelation.
Boehler emphasized the need for Hamas to comply with the terms of the agreement, stating, 'If I were them, I’d release everybody or they’re going to face total annihilation.' He expressed disbelief at the claim that the body handed over was that of the mother of two children who were allegedly killed in an Israeli airstrike.
In response to Hamas's assertion that Shiri Bibas' body was mistakenly identified among other casualties of an airstrike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would face consequences for failing to return Bibas' remains. Netanyahu promised that Hamas would pay 'the full price' for their actions.
Hamas had previously stated that Kfir and Ariel Bibas, along with their mother, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023. However, the recent developments have raised doubts about the accuracy of Hamas's claims regarding the Bibas family's fate.
The Hamas-controlled Government Media Office in Gaza acknowledged the mix-up regarding Shiri Bibas' body and attributed it to the chaos caused by the airstrike. The situation remains tense as both sides grapple with the implications of the recent events.
