Tel Aviv, Israel – The Israeli government has accused Hamas of deliberately killing two Israeli children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were taken hostage during the militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023.

The bodies of the two boys were among those returned to Israel on Thursday, along with the remains of another hostage, Oded Lifschitz. However, Israel says Hamas failed to return the body of the boys’ mother, Shiri Bibas, despite a prior agreement.

According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari, forensic evidence suggests that four-year-old Ariel and nine-month-old Kfir were killed by their captors in Gaza with “bare hands.” Hagari stated that Israel had shared this evidence with international partners for verification.

Hamas, however, has denied Israel’s claims. The group has insisted that the Bibas children and their mother were killed by Israeli airstrikes and said the remains were buried under rubble.

A Hamas spokesperson, Ismail al-Thawabta, said on X (formerly Twitter) that Shiri’s remains might have been mixed up with other bodies.

The IDF has strongly rejected this explanation, with international spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani demanding that Hamas return Shiri Bibas, whether she is “alive or not.”

Disputed Remains Spark Tensions

Israel’s anger intensified after forensic testing revealed that one of the four bodies returned by Hamas was not Shiri Bibas, but an unidentified Palestinian woman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of “putting the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin” instead of returning Bibas.

“This is a severe violation by Hamas, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,” the IDF posted on X.

Hamas has responded by saying it will investigate the mix-up. In a statement, the group affirmed its “seriousness and full commitment to all our obligations” and stated it had no interest in violating agreements.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which advocates for the return of Israeli captives, expressed devastation that Shiri Bibas was not among the returned remains. “We are horrified and devastated. Despite the agreement and our desperate hopes, Shiri has not been returned,” the group said in a statement.

Symbol of Tragedy

The Bibas family has become a symbol of national mourning in Israel since their abduction. The children’s father, Yarden Bibas, was released by Hamas on February 1, but his wife and children remained in captivity.

Their fate has deeply resonated with Israelis, who have been calling for the return of all remaining hostages. The Israeli government has vowed to continue efforts to recover Shiri Bibas and any other hostages still unaccounted for.

“We will act with determination to bring Shiri home along with all our hostages – both living and dead – and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation,” Netanyahu said.

The return of the bodies has reignited tensions in ongoing ceasefire negotiations and hostage release efforts. Israel has insisted that Hamas must be held accountable, while international mediators attempt to salvage diplomatic efforts to secure the release of other captives.