Bodies of 4 Presumed Israeli Hostages, Including Bibas Family, Returned From Gaza
Armed Palestinian stand next to the coffins on stage before handing over the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza on February 20, 2025. (OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

Bodies of 4 Presumed Israeli Hostages, Including Bibas Family, Returned From Gaza

As reported by Simcha Pasko, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, presumed to be those of Kfir Bibas, who was abducted at age 9 months, his brother, Ariel, who was 4 at the time of his abduction, their mother, Shiri Bibas, and 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz. The remains, transferred through the Red Cross, are now undergoing forensic examination at the Abu Kabir Institute in Tel Aviv to confirm their identities.

While Israeli authorities initially stated that the bodies were those of the Bibas family and Lifshitz, the Bibas family expressed frustration over the announcement, arguing that the confirmation was premature. In a statement, they urged the public and media not to eulogize their loved ones until forensic identification was complete. “We ask that people refrain from eulogizing our loved ones until we receive final confirmation,” the family said, highlighting their distress over how the information was handled.

Forensic experts at Abu Kabir are conducting DNA analysis, dental examinations, and radiological imaging to verify the identities of the remains. The full process is expected to take up to two days.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the handover as a deeply painful moment for the country. The presumed return of the Bibas family’s bodies has struck a particular chord, as the two boys had become symbols of the October 7, 2023, attack.

With uncertainty still surrounding the circumstances of their deaths and the official confirmation of their identities, the hostage handover has reignited concerns among families still awaiting news of their loved ones. Read the full report by Simcha Pasko at The Media Line for further details on this tragic development.

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