Hamas delivers bodies of Israeli hostages, including toddlers, in locked coffins without keys, sparking outrage and grief.
They couldn’t stoop any lower.
At a Glance
- Hamas handed over bodies of four Israeli hostages, including two young children and their mother
- Bodies were transferred in locked coffins without keys and paraded through Gaza streets
- Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) saluted the deceased hostages upon their return
- The event may influence negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire
- More hostage releases and body transfers are expected as part of the agreement
Hamas Delivers Hostages’ Bodies in Locked Coffins
In a deeply disturbing development, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages in locked coffins without providing keys. The deceased include two toddlers, Kfir Bibas (9 months old) and Ariel Bibas (4 years old), their mother Shiri (33 years old), and Oded Lifshitz (84 years old). This act of defiance by the terrorist organization has intensified the already tense situation in the region.
Before the transfer, Hamas paraded the bodies through the streets of Gaza, a move that has been widely condemned as a cruel display of hostility. Upon their return to Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) paid their respects by saluting the deceased hostages. The bodies were then transferred to new coffins draped in Israeli flags, symbolizing the nation’s grief and resolve.
The remains of the hostages have been transported to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv for identification. Officials have stated that the process could take up to 48 hours to officially confirm the identities of the deceased. This painstaking wait adds to the anguish of families who have been holding onto hope for their loved ones’ return.
Yesterday, three more Israeli hostages were freed from Hamas’s grip of terror. We welcome them home with immense relief, but their return is not a moment of triumph: It is a moment of reckoning. The images of hostages Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami—emaciated by… pic.twitter.com/6AHq3dyKiY
— Simon Wiesenthal Center (@simonwiesenthal) February 9, 2025
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed the nation’s collective sorrow, asking for forgiveness for not being able to protect the hostages. The Bibas family, whose members were among those returned, had been clinging to hope for their safe return. The family of Oded Lifshitz, a journalist known for advocating Palestinian rights and peace, confirmed that his remains were among those identified.
Impact on Ceasefire Negotiations
The release of these bodies serves as a grim reminder of those who have died in captivity during this prolonged conflict. It may significantly influence negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The terrorist group has indicated plans to release more hostages and bodies as part of the agreement, but the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain due to conflicting goals between the two sides.
Hamas abducted 251 hostages during their October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. While more than half of the hostages have been released or rescued, with some bodies recovered, many remain in captivity. The ongoing hostage situation continues to be a central issue in the conflict, with both sides using it as leverage in negotiations.
This tragic event underscores the deep-seated hostilities and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel’s military offensive in response to the Hamas attack has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza – but the country was left with no other option.
And now this…
Could it get any more tragic?
