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.
Give the gift of hope
We practice what we preach:
accurate, fearless journalism. But we can't do it alone.
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
Join us.
Support The Media Line. Save democracy.
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.

