Hamas hands over bodies of four Israeli hostages, including Bibas family

Hamas has transferred the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including members of the Bibas family, under a fragile ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, along with 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, were handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Thursday.

The repatriation marks the first time Hamas has returned the bodies of hostages since its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing war. The exchange is part of a broader agreement that has seen the release of 19 Israeli hostages in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the day as “heartbreaking,” while the Bibas family awaits official identification of the remains.

The ceasefire continues to hold despite tensions, with discussions underway for a potential second phase of negotiations.