Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed outrage at Hamas on Thursday after the militant group returned the bodies of the two youngest hostages in Gaza, Ariel and Kfir Bibas. The hopes of getting them back were crushed when Hamas announced that the kids and their mother were killed.
The bodies of Ariel and Kfir, just 4 years old and 9 months old when they were abducted, captivated Israelis, mother Shiri Bibas along with Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was kidnapped, returned. They will now be formally identified, which could take up to 48 hours.
“We are all enraged at the monsters of Hamas,” Israeli PM stated in a video message, adding: “We will return all our hostages, destroy the murderers, eliminate Hamas and together – with God’s help — we will secure our future.”
Hamas militants conducted the ceremony at a former burial ground in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, carrying the coffins onto a platform. The International Committee of the Red Cross received the bodies and transferred them to Israeli forces, who transported them to Israel’s primary forensic facility for identification.
Netanyahu referenced religious text, stating the deaths demanded retribution against the perpetrators. “Our hearts are broken, but our spirits are not,” he affirmed.
Defence Minister Israel Katz shared similar sentiments on X: “The heart of the entire nation mourns today. Hamas kidnapped, Hamas murdered, Hamas will be destroyed. We will take revenge on our enemies and secure our future.”
The transfer occurred under the initial phase of a January 19 ceasefire. The militants have released 19 living Israeli captives in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. Six more living hostages will be freed on Saturday, with four additional deceased to be transferred next week.
During their October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Hamas and allies captured 251 people. Before Thursday’s transfer, 70 hostages remained in Gaza, including 35 confirmed deceased by Israeli military.
The Hamas assault claimed 1,211 lives, predominantly civilians, according to AFP’s compilation of Israeli data. Israel’s response has resulted in at least 48,319 Palestinian casualties in Gaza, mostly civilians, based on Hamas-administered health ministry figures deemed credible by the UN.
