Heartbreaking: Bodies of Bibas Family and Oded Lifshitz to Be Retuned Today

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that the bodies of four Israeli hostages—Shiri Bibas, her young sons Ariel and Kfir, and journalist Oded Lifshitz—are scheduled to be returned to Israel today. The handover, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is expected to commence around 9 a.m. Israel time, 2 a.m. Eastern, from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Bibas family, whose abduction on 7 October 2023, became emblematic of the profound anguish experienced by many Israeli families during this period, has been the focus of a lot of davening and hope. Their tragic loss has cast a deep shadow over the nation.

In preparation for the transfer, the terrorist group Hamas has reportedly erected a stage in Khan Younis, where crowds have begun to assemble. The IDF has expressed concerns that such public displays may be used for propaganda purposes, potentially exacerbating the grief of the victims’ families. Channel 613 will not be sharing any images of the transfer of the bodies. The Red Cross has emphasized the necessity for the handover to be conducted with dignity and respect, urging Hamas to avoid any actions that could be perceived as degrading or disrespectful.

Upon receiving the bodies, the IDF plans to hold a respectful ceremony within the Gaza Strip. A military rabbi will be present to recite Tehillim and the “Kel Maleh Rachamim”. The bodies will then be placed in coffins draped with Israeli flags and transported by military vehicles to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for formal identification.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described this day as “heart-wrenching and profoundly sad for Israel.” The entire nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved families, sharing in their grief and mourning the loss of innocent lives.