Finally! Israel Receives Body of Shiri Bibas

The body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas was returned to Israel after Hamas initially sent the wrong remains, causing further anguish for her family. On Friday, Israeli authorities received what was believed to be Shiri’s body as part of a ceasefire agreement, but forensic analysis revealed it was not hers. The “mistake” added to the family’s distress, coming just days after the remains of her two young children, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months, were identified. On Saturday, the Bibas family confirmed that the correct remains of 32-year-old Shiri had finally been returned, though the exact circumstances of her death in captivity remain unknown.

Shiri, her husband Yarden, and their children were abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Yarden was freed earlier this month. A Gaza-based militant group reportedly handed over Shiri’s remains to the Red Cross.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation, while Hamas denied responsibility, blaming Israeli airstrikes. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Hamas and demanded the release of all hostages.