Bibas Family: ‘A heartbreaking day’: Israeli PM Netanyahu on return of Bibas family hostages’ remains

Israel is bracing for a distressing second as Hamas is ready to return the our bodies of 4 hostages, together with three members of the Bibas family, on Thursday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the loss, calling it “a very difficult day for the State of Israel – a heartbreaking day, a day of grief. We are bringing home four of our beloved hostages – fallen heroes.”
The deaths of Shiri Bibas and her two younger sons, Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 2, the youngest hostages held by Hamas, have been described as “heart-shattering” by an Israeli group campaigning for hostage releases.
Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, was kidnapped individually on October 7, 2023, however was launched on February 1 as half of a earlier hostage-prisoner change.
Hamas has claimed that Shiri Bibas and her two sons have been killed in an Israeli air strike early within the battle, although Israel has by no means confirmed this. The Bibas family had continued to hope they have been nonetheless alive. “We have held onto hope for 16 months, and we are not giving up now,” wrote the boys’ aunt, Ofri Bibas, on Facebook.
Hamas has signalled a willingness to free all remaining hostages in a single swap through the subsequent part of the ceasefire. “We have informed the mediators that Hamas is ready to release all hostages in one batch during the second phase of the agreement, rather than in stages as in the current first phase,” mentioned senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu.
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire has been in impact since January 19 and has to date led to the discharge of 19 Israeli hostages in change for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has mediated the hostage exchanges, urged all sides to make sure a respectful switch of the remains. “We once again call for all releases to be conducted in a private and dignified manner, including when they tragically involve the deceased,” the organisation mentioned.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas and its allies took 251 folks hostage throughout an assault on Israel. Of these, 70 stay in Gaza, together with 35 whom the Israeli navy believes are lifeless.
The assault resulted within the deaths of 1,211 folks, principally civilians, in accordance with Israeli figures. Israel’s retaliatory marketing campaign has killed over 48,000 folks in Gaza in accordance Gaza well being ministry.