The physique of a lady who was presumed to have been one in every of 4 lifeless hostages killed by Hamas and handed over to Israel this week was positively recognized Saturday morning.
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board Headquarters confirmed the identification of Shiri Bibas, who was returned to Israel on Friday after Hamas initially as a substitute handed over a Palestinian lady from Gaza on Thursday.
Hamas on Friday handed over a coffin carrying Bibas’ stays to the Crimson Cross, which turned the coffin over to Israeli authorities. The coffin was then taken to the Nationwide Institute of Forensic Drugs for identification.
“Final evening, our Shiri was returned house,” the household mentioned in a press release. “Following the identification course of on the Institute of Forensic Drugs, we obtained this morning the information we had dreaded – our Shiri was murdered in captivity and has now returned house to her sons, husband, sister, and all her household for relaxation.”
Shiri Bibas and her youngsters, Shiri Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Ariel Bibas. Of the 4 our bodies returned to Israel by Hamas on Thursday, two had been recognized as the 2 younger youngsters. A 3rd was initially presumed to be their mom, however was not, the Israel Protection Forces mentioned. (Courtesy: Hostages Households Discussion board)
“Regardless of our fears about their destiny, we continued to hope that we’d get to embrace them, and now we’re in ache and heartbroken,” it continued. “For 16 months we sought certainty, and now that it is right here, it brings no consolation, although we hope it marks the start of closure.”
The household mentioned “Shiri was an exquisite mom to Ariel and Kfir, a loving associate to Yarden, a faithful sister and aunt, and an incredible good friend.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned Friday that Hamas would “pay the complete worth” for allegedly handing over the physique of a Palestinian lady from Gaza as a substitute of Bibas’ stays.
Hamas terrorists took the Bibas household on Oct. 7, 2023. (FOX & Pals/Screengrab)
The Israeli navy earlier mentioned it had positively recognized the stays of Bibas’ two sons — Ariel and Kfir Bibas — together with Oded Lifshitz. 4 our bodies had been returned on Thursday, however the one anticipated to be holding Shiri Bibas was not holding any hostage.
Hamas mentioned it “has little interest in withholding any our bodies in its possession.” The phobia group mentioned the lifeless hostages it handed over on Thursday had been killed by an Israeli airstrike in November 2023 and that the our bodies might have been misidentified attributable to bombardments within the space.
After the return of Shiri Bibas, the household is looking for the return of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Six are being launched on Saturday.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“On this tough hour, we proceed to demand and name for the speedy return of the remaining hostages nonetheless in captivity. There isn’t any extra essential objective. There may be no rehabilitation with out them,” the Bibas household mentioned.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
