Hamas announced that it will turn over the bodies of two young boys and their mother, who were captured by gunmen during a Hamas-led assault in October 2023. The family members, Shiri Bibas and her children Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months old, are expected to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The abduction of the Bibas family has been a major point of contention in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. For over a year, Israelis have anxiously awaited news about the fate of the family, who were taken from their home in Nir Oz during the assault.
Hamas’s decision to release the bodies is part of a series of negotiated exchanges in the current phase of a cease-fire agreement. This comes after the recent release of 19 living Israeli hostages.
However, hopes of a happy reunion for Shiri Bibas and her children have been dashed. According to Hamas, at least some of the family members’ bodies will be handed over this week. The Israeli military has confirmed that it is “gravely concerned” about the family’s well-being but has not officially confirmed their deaths.
Israel is expected to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the bodies. The abduction of the Bibas family has had a profound impact on the Israeli national psyche, with many Israelis and world leaders continuing to advocate for their safe return.
The Bibas family’s story has been widely shared, with orange balloons being used as a symbol of hope for Ariel’s release. However, despite these efforts, it seems that Shiri Bibas and her children will not be returning home alive.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/world/middleeast/bibas-bodies-death-hamas-israel-exchange.html