Bodies of youngest Hamas hostages returned to Israel — but their mother wasn't, Israel says

Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including what it says are three members of the Bibas family.

Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages Thursday, parading four black caskets on a stage against a backdrop of propaganda slogans and behind white missiles spattered with red paint bearing the phrase "they were killed by USA bombs."

In what is likely to be one of the defining images of the war in the Gaza Strip, the four caskets sat on a raised platform in front of smiling illustrations of three members of the Bibas family and 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz.

Among the bodies believed to be handed over by Hamas were those of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the two youngest captives seized in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack that triggered Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Yarden and Shiri Bibas with Ariel and Kfir.Bibas familyThe bodies of the two children were later confirmed to be those of Kfir and Ariel Bibas — but the body that was believed to be that of their mother, Shiri, was not in fact her, the Israel Defense Forces said.

"This is a very serious violation by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is required by the agreement to return four dead abductees," the IDF said. "We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all of our abductees."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/bodies-youngest-hamas-hostages-said-returned-israel-rcna192769

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