In a solemn event, Israeli security officials confirmed to ABC News that a ceremony was held in the IDF-controlled Gaza buffer zone to honor the four deceased hostages before their coffins were transferred into Israel. The bodies were then taken to Israel’s National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv’s Abu Kabir neighborhood. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement expressing condolences to the families of the victims and urging the public to respect their privacy during this challenging time. The release of the hostages was marked by a poignant moment captured in a photo of a Palestinian militant standing near the coffins during the handover in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 20, 2025.
Israel and Hamas identified the four individuals whose bodies were returned: journalist and peace activist Oded Lifshitz, and Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas. Following the return of the bodies to Israel, forensic analysis will be conducted to confirm their identities. Hamas issued a statement during the handover, expressing regret that the hostages could not be returned alive and condemning the actions of the Israeli government and military.
Kfir Bibas, the youngest of the hostages taken on the day of the terror attack in 2023, was just 8 1/2 months old when kidnapped by Hamas. This tragic event marked the beginning of a conflict that has resulted in numerous casualties in Gaza. The release of the hostages is a step towards peace, with calls from the Hostage Families Forum for the ceasefire to progress swiftly. The next phase of the agreement involves Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza and a permanent cessation of hostilities, paving the way for the release of remaining hostages and prisoners. Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire and reunification of families is echoed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Hostage Families Forum as they navigate this challenging time.
Israeli hostage Oded Lifshitz, who was kidnapped and taken to Gaza on October 7, 2023, has been confirmed deceased. The devastating news was shared by the families of the hostages, expressing profound sorrow for the loss of Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, as well as Oded Lifshitz. Their absence has left a deep void not only in the hearts of their loved ones but also in the hearts of people around the globe.
Tragically, in addition to the aforementioned individuals, four more hostages have lost their lives, with their remains set to be repatriated to Israel in the coming week. The families of the hostages mourn the loss of these precious lives and stand in solidarity as they prepare to receive the bodies of their loved ones.
On a more hopeful note, it has been announced that six hostages are anticipated to be released this Saturday while four more deceased hostages will be returned to their families in Israel next week. The hostages set for release have been identified as Eliya Cohen, 27; Tal Shoham, 40; Omer Shem Tov, 22; Omer Wenkrat, 23; Hisham Al-Sayed, 36; and Avera Mengistu, 39, according to information provided by Israeli authorities and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Amidst ongoing negotiations and efforts to secure a second phase of the ceasefire, mediators are pushing for talks to commence promptly to allow for sufficient discussion before the anticipated start of the next phase. Qatar’s foreign ministry has indicated that the first phase of the ceasefire, projected to last 42 days, is underway, with Hamas expressing readiness for negotiations while accusing Israel of stalling the process.
Recently, tensions arose as Hamas threatened to withhold the release of hostages over the weekend, citing Israel’s alleged failure to uphold its ceasefire obligations by delaying the repatriation of displaced Palestinians in northern Gaza. Despite these challenges, the exchange ultimately proceeded as planned, resulting in the release of three hostages this past Saturday.
The complex situation in Gaza remains fluid, with conflicting narratives and ongoing efforts to navigate the delicate balance of peace negotiations and humanitarian concerns. As developments unfold, the families of the hostages and the broader international community continue to monitor the situation closely in the hopes of achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
(Original Source: abcnews.go.com)
