Hamas Returns Bodies of Two Child Hostages and Misidentified Remains They Claimed Were Their Mother – Guy D. McCardle

In a deeply disturbing turn of events, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four individuals to Israel, including two young children. The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation due to the mishandling and misidentification of the remains.

The Tragic Return

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, Hamas returned the remains of four individuals to Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement. However, the event quickly became controversial due to issues surrounding the identification of the bodies and conflicting claims made by Hamas.

Among the returned remains were two young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who had been taken hostage in October 2023. Israeli authorities confirmed their identities, bringing a tragic end to the long search for them. Also identified was the body of 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, another hostage taken during the same attack.

The controversy arose over the fourth body. Hamas initially claimed that it belonged to Shiri Bibas, the mother of Ariel and Kfir. However, after forensic examination, Israeli authorities determined that the remains did not match those of Shiri Bibas or any other known hostage. This misidentification sparked outrage, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemning Hamas for what he called a “cruel and malevolent” breach of the ceasefire agreement. He demanded the return of Shiri Bibas and warned of consequences if Hamas did not comply.

In response, Hamas suggested that Shiri Bibas’ remains might have been mixed with other human remains after an Israeli airstrike and stated that they were investigating the potential mistake. This explanation did little to ease tensions, as the incident raised serious concerns about the reliability of Hamas’ claims and its handling of hostages.

The misidentification has added strain to the already fragile ceasefire and could impact future hostage exchanges. Israeli leaders have made it clear that they will continue to press for answers and accountability while Hamas’ response remains under scrutiny. The situation highlights the ongoing complexity and emotional weight of the conflict, where every action can have significant political and humanitarian consequences.

A Macabre Display

The return of the hostages’ remains by Hamas was a deeply disturbing and macabre spectacle. Instead of handling the transfer with dignity and respect, Hamas staged a public ceremony in central Gaza, turning it into a grotesque propaganda event.

During the handover, Hamas militants presented four black coffins on a platform in Khan Younis, making a grim and disrespectful display of the deceased hostages’ remains. Behind the coffins, a large backdrop featured propaganda slogans in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, using the moment to push political messaging rather than allow for a solemn and humane return of the bodies.

The coffins were even labeled with the phrase “Date of arrest: October 7,” a blatant misrepresentation of the violent kidnappings that took place that day. The stage also featured slogans blaming Israel for the deaths, claiming they were caused by “USA bombs,” further pushing Hamas’ narrative.

Adding to the spectacle, the transfer of the bodies was conducted in front of large crowds, turning what should have been a solemn occasion into a public display meant to manipulate perception and further inflame tensions. While it is unclear if photographs were displayed on the coffins, the overall setting was designed to maximize the propaganda impact of the moment.

This disgraceful act was widely condemned. UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized Hamas’ handling of the hostages’ remains, stating that international law requires the deceased and their families to be treated with dignity. The World Jewish Congress also denounced Hamas, stating that their treatment of the victims in death was just as abhorrent as their treatment in life.

This event serves as yet another example of Hamas’ disregard for basic human dignity. Even in death, hostages and their families continue to be exploited as tools in its ongoing propaganda war against Israel.

International Repercussions

The way Hamas handled the return of the hostages’ bodies has triggered widespread international condemnation. Instead of treating the situation with the dignity and respect it deserved, Hamas turned the handover into a public spectacle, violating international humanitarian standards.

Many world leaders and organizations criticized the event, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who condemned the parading of the bodies and the public display of the coffins. He emphasized that such actions go against international law regarding the proper treatment of deceased individuals. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the transfer should have been conducted privately and with dignity rather than being used as a propaganda tool.

The incident has further strained diplomatic relations, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing that Hamas will pay the “full price” for this breach of the ceasefire agreement. He described the act as a deliberate provocation and a cruel insult to the families of the hostages. The World Jewish Congress also weighed in, condemning the display as a “shocking display of cruelty and propaganda” that violated human dignity.

Beyond diplomatic tensions, the misidentification of Shiri Bibas’s body has put additional pressure on ceasefire negotiations, raising doubts about Hamas’ credibility in future hostage exchanges. This controversy has also renewed international calls for the immediate release of all remaining hostages, with governments and humanitarian organizations urging urgent action.

The entire event has intensified global scrutiny of Hamas and its treatment of both living and deceased hostages. Many see this as further proof of the group’s inhumane tactics, reinforcing its international designation as a terrorist organization by multiple governments. This incident has not only worsened diplomatic tensions but also highlighted the complex humanitarian challenges at the heart of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Conflicting Narratives

Hamas has asserted that Shiri Bibas and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike while in captivity. However, Israeli authorities dispute this claim, stating that forensic evidence indicates the children were “brutally murdered” by their captors. The absence of Shiri’s body has intensified the anguish of her family and fueled further accusations against Hamas for their handling of the hostages.

A Fragile Ceasefire Under Strain

The misidentification of Shiri Bibas’s body has placed even more strain on the already fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of a “cruel and malicious violation” of the agreement, vowing that the group will pay the “full price” for this breach. His strong rhetoric, including a promise of retaliation, has heightened fears of potential Israeli military action in response.

This incident has also raised serious concerns about the reliability of future hostage releases and prisoner exchanges. While six more hostages are scheduled to be released on Saturday, the controversy has introduced uncertainty into the process, making it unclear whether those releases will proceed as planned. U.S. envoy Adam Boehler called the release of the wrong body “horrific” and a “clear violation” of the ceasefire, suggesting that there could be diplomatic consequences for Hamas.

Hamas, for its part, has stated that it will conduct a review to determine what went wrong, suggesting that a mix-up may have occurred due to Israeli airstrikes. However, this explanation has been met with widespread skepticism, further complicating an already tense situation. The timing of this controversy is particularly troubling as negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire were set to begin in early March. Progress on those talks was already uncertain, and this latest development could make discussions even more difficult.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is facing pressure from far-right members of his cabinet to abandon the ceasefire and resume full-scale military operations in Gaza. This incident may further embolden those calling for an end to negotiations. Hamas, on the other hand, has stated that it will not release the remaining hostages unless a lasting ceasefire is reached and Israel fully withdraws. However, Netanyahu, with backing from the Trump administration, remains committed to dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities. These opposing objectives make a long-term ceasefire seem increasingly unlikely.

And while we are talking about the Trump administration, what happened to “All hell breaking loose” if all of the hostages were not released alive by the President’s noon on February 15th deadline? Should we really be talking tough if we are not going to back it up?  

Ultimately, this controversy has highlighted just how delicate the ceasefire agreement is and how difficult it will be to maintain. With tensions at a breaking point, the risk of further escalation is high, putting future hostage releases and broader peace efforts in serious jeopardy.

Wrapping Up

The return of the bodies of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, alongside the misidentified remains purported to be their mother, has deepened the sorrow and outrage surrounding the Israeli-Hamas war. The manner in which Hamas conducted the handover has drawn widespread condemnation and highlighted the profound human cost of the ongoing hostilities. As the ceasefire teeters on the brink, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, and the need for a compassionate and lawful approach to such sensitive matters is more critical than ever.