This is a developing story.
A Hamas official has announced that the terror group will return the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including the Bibas family.
Hamas is also scheduled to release six hostages on Saturday, marking the end of the initial phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The hostages to be released include Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov, Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham Al-Sayed.
The return of the bodies of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas brings a tragic conclusion to the 16-month ordeal that captured global attention and sparked activism, protests, and prayers for their safe return. The Bibas family, especially the young boys Kfir and Ariel, became symbols of hope and resilience during their captivity. Kfir and Ariel’s father, Yarden, was also held captive but was released earlier this month.
An iconic image of Shiri holding her two sons as they were taken into Gaza by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, circulated widely, drawing attention to their plight. Their red hair made them easily identifiable, and their story became a focal point for efforts to secure their release, symbolizing the tragedy of that day and uniting supporters worldwide in prayer and solidarity. Images of the Bibas family during happier times have touched hearts around the world.
Following a ceasefire in November 2023, Kfir and Ariel Bibas were the last children held captive in Gaza. Hamas initially claimed in November 2023 that Shiri and the boys had been killed, but Israel’s investigation did not confirm this. Despite the uncertainty, advocates remained hopeful that the family was still alive.
In recent weeks, concerns grew as Israel expressed apprehension about the fate of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel, who were among the hostages slated for release under the ceasefire agreement. The announcement that eight of the 33 hostages were deceased added to the anxiety.
In a prerecorded video on Tuesday, Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya confirmed the upcoming release of the bodies of four hostages, including the Bibas family. The news was reported by CNN and the Associated Press, but the Bibas family members stated that they had not received official confirmation and requested privacy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that four deceased hostages would be returned on Thursday, followed by six living hostages on Saturday. The bodies of the remaining four hostages in the first phase of the agreement will be released the following week. The names of the hostages were not disclosed.
The six hostages set to return alive on Saturday include individuals abducted from the Nova music festival and Kibbutz Beeri, as well as two who have been held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015.
The other eight hostages, including the Bibas family members, are not expected to return alive.
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