The body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas was not among the four returned by Hamas from Gaza on Thursday, Israel’s military has said, accusing the Palestinian militant group of a “violation of utmost severity” of the precarious ceasefire deal.
The Israeli military confirmed on Friday that two of the four bodies handed over were Shiri’s young sons, Kfir and Ariel, along with another captive, Oded Lifshitz. However, during the identification process, the military determined that one of the bodies received was not that of Shiri Bibas and did not match other hostages. “This is an anonymous, unidentified body,” the military said in a statement.
“We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages,” added the military.
The revelation is the latest tragic twist for the Bibas family, who have become among the most recognizable victims of the October 7 terror attacks, with confirmation of their deaths triggering an outpouring of grief in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday described Hamas’ failure to return Shiri’s body as “an unimaginable cynical move.”
“We will operate determinedly to bring Shiri home along with all our hostages, both the living and the dead and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and vicious violation,” he said, adding that the body handed over to Israel belonged to a “Gazan woman.”
On Friday, the Hamas-controlled Government Media Office (GMO) in Gaza said Shiri Bibas’ body may have been mixed up with other bodies as a result of an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
Ismail al-Thawbta, the head of the GMO, said the body was mutilated and “apparently mixed with other bodies under the rubble of a place that was intentionally and deliberately bombed by the occupation’s warplanes.”
At just nine months old, Kfir was the youngest hostage kidnapped into Gaza and the youngest to have been killed. His brother, Ariel, was aged four. During Thursday’s macabre handover, Hamas returned four black coffins bearing the photos of Shiri, Ariel, Kfir, and Lifshitz, flanked by masked militants in a highly orchestrated and propaganda-filled ceremony.
Despite the development, the Israeli military said plans for the release of a further six Israeli hostages on Saturday were not expected to change.
Hamas has previously claimed that Shiri and the two boys were killed in an Israeli airstrike, though they have never presented any evidence.
But in its latest statement, the Israeli military said that according to forensic evidence and intelligence, Ariel and Kfir were murdered in captivity in November 2023. However, it did not provide proof of the claim or give a cause of death.
The Impact on the Ceasefire Agreement
This calculated act of deception by Hamas risks further destabilizing an already fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militant group. The ceasefire was meant to provide a temporary reprieve from the ongoing conflict, allowing for humanitarian aid, negotiations, and hostage releases. However, Hamas’ failure to return Shiri Bibas’ body; coupled with the unsettling revelation of an unidentified body being passed off as hers; has exacerbated tensions and increased distrust between the two parties.
Ceasefires rely on good faith negotiations and mutual concessions. The intentional misrepresentation of hostages not only undermines any hope for continued dialogue but also raises serious concerns about Hamas’ motives and credibility in future negotiations.
Israel may now be more hesitant to engage in further prisoner exchanges or ceasefire extensions, fearing further deceit and manipulation.
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called on the UN to condemn “Hamas’ barbarity” and make an “immediate demand for the return of Shiri to her family.”
“There are no words that can describe such an atrocity. Hamas not only murdered Ariel and Kfir Bibas in cold blood; a four-year-old boy and a 10-month-old baby; but continues to violate every basic moral value even after their death,” Danon said.
The Broader Consequences of Hamas’ Deception
The implications of this deception extend beyond Israel and Hamas. The international community, particularly mediators involved in the ceasefire and hostage negotiations, now faces increased pressure to reevaluate their stance and approach towards Hamas. Countries such as Egypt and Qatar, which have played crucial roles in past negotiations, may find it more challenging to broker future deals if Hamas continues to engage in deceptive tactics.
Moreover, Hamas’ actions may affect how humanitarian organizations operate within Gaza. Humanitarian efforts depend on transparency and adherence to agreements between warring parties.
If Hamas is willing to manipulate the identities of hostages and violate established agreements, it could lead to greater scrutiny and restrictions on aid efforts, making it even harder for civilians in Gaza to receive the help they desperately need.
Israel, on the other hand, is likely to respond with heightened military pressure, potentially escalating the conflict further.
The failure to return Shiri Bibas’ body as expected may be used as justification for increased airstrikes or ground operations, further plunging the region into turmoil.
Hamas’ deception regarding the return of hostages represents a costly and reckless move that threatens to derail the fragile ceasefire and any ongoing diplomatic efforts. While the group may seek to use such tactics for propaganda purposes, the long-term consequences are likely to be far more detrimental; not just for Israel and Hamas, but for the entire region.
The failure to return Shiri Bibas’ body underscores the deep mistrust that continues to plague any attempt at peace, and unless greater accountability is enforced, the likelihood of a lasting resolution remains grim.
