The release of four coffins containing the bodies of three Israeli hostages and one other individual has brought a somber conclusion to a tragic chapter in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. The Israeli hostages, Shiri Bibas and her two red-headed children, Ariel and Kfir, were abducted from their home in southern Israel on October 7, sparking widespread outrage and sorrow.
After weeks of negotiations, the bodies were finally returned under a ceasefire deal, with Hamas staging the handover of the coffins in Gaza. Alongside the Bibas family members, the body of Oded Lifschitz was also included in the repatriation. Red Cross vehicles were on hand to receive the coffins, which will now be examined at the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed the nation’s grief over the tragic event, calling it a “very difficult day for the state of Israel”. The ceremony in Gaza featured a banner accusing Israel of causing the deaths of the hostages with missiles, adding a layer of tension to an already heartbreaking situation.
The return of these bodies marks a bittersweet moment for both sides of the conflict, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing strife between Israel and Hamas. As the families begin to mourn and seek closure, the hope remains that steps towards peace can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Watch the video by The Times and The Sunday Times
Video “Hamas hostages: coffins containing four bodies released” was uploaded on 02/20/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times