Family confirms body handed over by militants overnight was Israeli mother Shiri Bibas

Palestinian militants carry a coffin containing the body of Kfir Bibas, the youngest captive and one of four Israeli dead hostages, including Kfir’s brother Ariel and their mother Shiri Bibas, as they are hand it over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP

Hamas had said Bibas’ remains were returned to Israel with those of her sons and another hostage on Thursday (February 20, 2025). Testing confirmed the identities of the three others but found the remains said to be Shiri Bibas were instead an unidentified Palestinian woman.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of a “cruel and malicious violation” of the ceasefire and vowed revenge.

With tensions rising, Palestinian militants late Friday said they turned over the correct set of remains to the Red Cross, which sent them to Israel for testing. The identification was confirmed early Saturday.

Despite the anger, Israel and Hamas were moving ahead with another exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners Saturday as part of the ceasefire.