Hamas has confirmed that they will hand over the remains of four deceased hostages to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The terror group is expected to deliver the hostages’ remains without any ceremonies, as stated by Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday.
Last week, Hamas faced widespread criticism for holding a ceremony with the coffins of the four dead hostages: Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz. It was later discovered that the coffin supposedly containing Shiri Bibas’ remains actually held the body of an unidentified Gazan woman. Subsequently, Shiri’s remains were returned to Israel.
“These Hamas monsters cynically refused to return the boys’ mother, Shiri, and instead sent the body of a Gazan woman, violating the agreement,” Netanyahu stated on Feb. 21.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on Dec. 9, 2024. (MAYA ALLERUZZO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
ISRAEL’S UN AMBASSADOR SLAMS HAMAS’ ‘EVIL AND DEPRAVED’ DISPLAY OF HOSTAGES’ COFFINS
Top United Nations officials, including the spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, condemned the ceremonies.
U.N. Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told the press that Secretary-General Guterres found the “parading of bodies and displaying of the coffins of the deceased hostages” to be “abhorrent and appalling.”
In his statement, Türk referenced international legal requirements for the return of deceased remains, without directly stating that Hamas’ ceremony violated international law.
“We urge that all returns are conducted in privacy, and with respect and care,” Türk emphasized. “Under international law, any handover of the remains of [the] deceased must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families.”
Pictures of the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz, 84, who were kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas and then killed, are displayed next to candles in the dining room in Kibbutz Nir Oz, after their bodies were handed over to Israel under the terms of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, on the day of Lifshitz’s funeral, in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israel, on Feb. 25, 2025. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
FUNERAL HELD FOR SHIRI BIBAS AND HER SONS AFTER THEIR REMAINS HANDED OVER BY HAMAS
Many, however, were not satisfied with the statements from U.N. officials. Criticism was directed towards the international institution for what some perceive as a lack of action since the events of Oct. 7.
“For 16 months, Israel has been battling a deranged terrorist organization that shows no regard for human life, especially if it is Israeli or Jewish. Meanwhile, international institutions like the UN have refrained from condemning Hamas and formally demanding the immediate return of our hostages,” said Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon in a statement to Fox News Digital.
While Hamas provided a list of the hostages whose bodies will be returned today, Israel has not officially confirmed the identities of the deceased hostages.
People observe flowers and the graves of Shiri, 32, and her two children, Kfir, 9 months old, and Ariel, 4, of the Bibas family, following their funeral procession in Tzohar, Israel, on Feb. 26, 2025. (REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
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Oded Lifshitz, one of the deceased hostages whose remains were returned last week, was laid to rest on Tuesday. His wife, Yocheved, delivered an emotional eulogy pledging to continue the fight to bring the remaining hostages home.
Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas were buried together in one casket on Wednesday, according to the Times of Israel. Yarden Bibas, another hostage on Oct. 7 who was later released, paid tribute to his wife and sons. He also expressed regret for not being able to protect them during the brutal attacks by Hamas.
“Shiri, this is the closest I’ve been to you since October 7th, and I can’t kiss or hug you, and it’s breaking me,” Yarden Bibas shared.Â
