On Thursday, Hamas transferred four bodies to Israel, as part of the hostage deal. Shockingly, authorities determined that the remains in one of the caskets received did not belong to Shiri Bibas, and no matches were found for any other kidnapped individuals.
“The identification process revealed that the additional body recovered is not that of Shiri Bibas, and there were no matches to any other hostages,” stated an IDF representative, adding that the body remains unidentified. The IDF also mentioned that all details and findings had been shared with relevant partners, including officials in the United States, to maintain pressure on the situation. The body was later estimated to be that of a Gazan woman.
Hamas handed over another casket to the Red Cross Friday night and it was transferred to The Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir, initiating the complex process of identification and determination of the cause of death. The procession was accompanied by dozens of citizens waving Israeli and yellow flags, waiting at the Gama Junction in the Eshkol Regional Council, even late into the night. Initially, an official Hamas source claimed that “it is possible that the remains of Shiri Bibas’ body were mixed with those of others.”
A senior Israeli official estimated that Hamas did not deliberately transfer her body but did so by mistake. On Friday night, her death was officially announced by the Nir Oz Kibbutz.
IDF Spokesperson Clarifies: The Bibas Family Was Brutally Murdered by Hamas – Not in an Airstrike
On Thursday night, the bodies of her young children, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, were identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. According to assessments by professionals, intelligence, and forensic evidence available to the military, they were brutally murdered in captivity in November 2023.
The IDF spokesperson emphasized: “Contrary to Hamas’ lies, they were not killed in an airstrike. Baby Kfir and four-year-old Ariel were murdered in cold blood. The terrorists did not shoot them; they killed them with their own hands. Afterward, they committed horrific acts to try and cover up their atrocities.”
Kibbutz Nir Oz: “Shiri Was a Wonderful Mother”
Kibbutz Nir Oz stated: “Shiri, who was abducted at the age of 32, was born and raised in Nir Oz. For years, she devotedly cared for the children of the kibbutz as part of the education system and was loved by all who knew her. In the past two years, she worked in the kibbutz’s accounting department, but above all, she was a devoted mother who embraced parenthood with boundless love. Shiri, Yarden, Ariel, and Kfir deeply loved their home in Nir Oz, their porch, and the lawn where they spent countless happy moments as a family—before being abducted on October 7”.
They added: “Please give the family the space to process and grieve. Thank you all for your support and love over these 16 months. If only Shiri had lived to see this.”
“Shiri’s parents, Yossi and Margit Silverman, were murdered on that horrific day. Now, after 16 unbearable months, the painful chapter has come to a final close for the family. In the coming days, she will be laid to rest alongside her two young sons in the land of Israel. Shiri leaves behind a husband, a sister, nieces and nephews, family, and friends who will always remember her smile, kindness, and joyful spirit. May the memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir be a blessing.”
Hostages’ Families Forum: “We Bow Our Heads in Grief”
The Hostages’ and Missing Families Forum released a statement: “We bow our heads in sorrow upon receiving the devastating news of Shiri Bibas’ murder. With heavy hearts, we learned of her identification after being murdered in captivity by evildoers and returned to Israel for eternal rest. The return of Shiri marks the end of 505 excruciating days of uncertainty and deep pain. We mourn with the Bibas family and will continue to support and embrace them.”
Netanyahu: “The Nation’s Heart is Broken – We Will Not Forget or Forgive”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement this evening, expressing both relief at the return of six hostages today and condolences over the abduction and murder of Shiri and her children.
“Together with my wife Sara and all the citizens of Israel, I welcome home Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham Al-Sayad.
Our hearts burst with emotion as we embrace the families. Their return is a moment of joy and relief for their loved ones and for all of Israel.
After our insistence and unequivocal demand for Shiri’s immediate return, we succeeded in bringing her back last night for burial in Israel.
The heart of the nation is broken over the abduction and brutal murder of Shiri and her children—Ariel and Kfir.
We share in the deep sorrow of the Bibas family and embrace them warmly. We will not forget and we will not forgive.
We remember with pain and salute our fallen heroes and wounded soldiers—it is thanks to them that our sons and daughters return home.
So far, we have returned 192 hostages to Israel—147 alive and 45 deceased.
Hamas still holds 63 hostages. The Government of Israel is committed to continuing our determined efforts to bring all our hostages home—the living back to their families and the fallen to a proper burial in their homeland.”
Trump Issues Veiled Threat to Hamas
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the circumstances of the Bibas children’s deaths and issued a veiled warning to Hamas: “Will we accept this? I think not,” he said. He also commented on the cynical “ceremony” held in Gaza when the coffins were handed over to the Red Cross, stating, “That sight of the babies is unacceptable to anyone. We have never seen anything like this.”
