Hamas Hands Over Another Body, Claims It’s Shiri Bibas
Israel Conducts DNA Tests as Dispute Over Identity Continues
Hamas handed over another woman’s body to the Red Cross on Friday. Hamas officials believe that the body belongs to Israeli woman Shiri Bibas. Shiri Bibas was kidnapped by Hamas along with her two young sons following the October 7, 2023, attack. Her remains, along with those of her two children, were supposed to be returned to Israel on Thursday in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, after a DNA test, Israeli authorities claimed that the body was not Shiri’s but someone else’s. Following this, Hamas handed over another woman’s body to Israel, insisting that it is Shiri’s.
The Red Cross stated on Friday that their team received the human remains at the request of both parties and handed them over to Israeli authorities. Hamas’ head of foreign relations, Mousa Abu Marzouk, said that the body returned on Friday is believed to be Bibas’. Another Hamas official also stated that they are confident this time the correct body has been handed over. However, Israel has not yet confirmed whether the body belongs to Shiri. Israeli medical authorities are examining the remains.
On Thursday, Hamas claimed to have handed over the remains of four hostages to Israel, including Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir. At the time of the abduction, Shiri was 32 years old, Ariel was 4, and Kfir was just a few months old. Israeli authorities transported the remains to a forensic institute in Tel Aviv, where the identities of Ariel, Kfir, and Lifshitz were confirmed. However, Shiri’s body did not match, leading to strong outrage from the Israeli government and military.
On Friday morning, Israel stated that the body handed over by Hamas was not Shiri Bibas’. The Israeli military called it a serious violation of the ceasefire, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas of consequences. In response, Hamas cited the extensive destruction in Gaza and acknowledged the possibility of bodies being mistakenly exchanged. Following an investigation, Hamas handed over another body to Israel within hours.
