Bodies of Bibas Family and Oded Lifshitz Returned to Israel

In a somber transfer on Thursday, Israel received the bodies of four hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza. The returned remains include Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, as well as 85-year-old Oded Lifshitz.

The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer, delivering the coffins to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) agents in the Gaza Strip. The Geneva-based organization received the bodies from the Hamas terrorist group following a staged propaganda event.

Upon receiving the coffins, IDF sappers conducted thorough inspections to ensure they were not booby-trapped. The coffins, which arrived locked and without keys, were also examined for any personal belongings of the hostages.

A brief military ceremony, led by the IDF’s chief rabbi, honored the fallen before their remains were transported to Israel for official identification. The coffins were escorted by police to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, where forensic experts will determine the cause and time of death through detailed analysis.

Currently, 69 hostages remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza, with 36 of them believed to be dead. While the names of the fallen have been made public, the final confirmation of their identities will depend on forensic examination of the remains.

This tragic development underscores the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis in Gaza, as Israel continues its efforts to secure the safe return of all hostages.

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