JERUSALEM — On Thursday, the remains of four Israelis, reportedly including the last female and child hostages, were returned by Hamas, increasing the total number of freed captives to 28 since the ceasefire began on January 19.
The bodies are believed to belong to Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, who had captured the hearts of many in Israel following their abduction during the violent assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Another of the oldest hostages is also reported among the remains, which still require formal identification.
Under the terms of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, a total of 33 hostages were anticipated to be released, of which eight have already been confirmed dead. In return, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are expected to be freed. Additionally, five Thai nationals who were in Israel on the day of the Hamas assault were released last month as part of a distinct arrangement.
The militants initially captured 251 hostages during the October 7 attacks that escalated the conflict in Gaza. Presently, over 60 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, with approximately half presumed deceased. The remaining hostages have either escaped, been rescued, or their bodies reclaimed.
Israel’s ensuing military operations have reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian casualties, as per the Gaza Health Ministry, which has not distinguished between combatants and civilians, noting that over half of those killed were women or children.
Here is an overview of some of the hostages whose remains have been returned:
Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas
The bodies believed to be those of Shiri Bibas alongside her young sons Ariel and Kfir were returned on Thursday. They were snatched along with Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Hamas has stated that they were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Earlier in the ceasefire, Yarden Bibas was released.
A widely circulated video showed a distressed Shiri wrapping her two sons, both with red hair, in a blanket as militants carried them away, an image that resonated globally in the aftermath of the attack. At the time, 4-year-old Ariel loved to dress as Batman, a theme reflected in family photographs, while 9-month-old Kfir embodied the despair and fury felt by many Israelis regarding the hostage crisis.
Oded Lifshitz, 84
The remains of Oded Lifshitz, one of the older hostages, were also returned. He was abducted from his Kibbutz Nir Oz home alongside his wife, Yocheved, who was released during a previous ceasefire. Oded endured a gunshot wound during the invasion, and his family had long feared that he may not have survived his captivity.
Oded was a co-founder of his kibbutz and had a history of advocating for Palestinian rights. In his retirement, he volunteered to transport Palestinians for medical appointments in Israel, taking pride in helping the Bedouin communities in the Negev Desert.
Sagui Dekel Chen, 36
An Israeli-American, Chen was engaged in his personal project of bus conversions when he was taken hostage after instructing his pregnant wife, Avital, to take their two daughters to a safe room. Chen’s actions on that day alerted others to the assault.
At the time of the attack, Avital was seven months pregnant and welcomed a third daughter, Shachar Mazal, in December 2023. Chen is known for his avid tennis playing and co-founding an arts center for youth in southern Israel, according to advocacy groups.
Iair Horn, 46
Iair Horn, an Israeli-Argentinian man, was captured with his brother, Eitan, who remains in captivity. The two had been residing together at the time of the assault. Iair was known for managing the local pub within his kibbutz and is a devoted fan of the regional soccer team. Friends gathered at the pub to celebrate Iair’s release, showcasing the community’s support.
Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29
Sasha, who holds Israeli-Russian nationality, was abducted along with three relatives, including his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend. Tragically, his father was slain during the initial assault. Sasha was employed at Amazon and was thought to be among the captives of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. His family had immigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union.
Eli Sharabi, 52
Eli was abducted from Kibbutz Beeri, where he lost his British-born wife and teenage daughters in the attack while they attempted to seek refuge. Reports from the area indicate that his home bore the remnants of the attacks months later, a haunting reminder of the violence encountered during the assailants’ invasion.
Ohad Ben Ami, 56
A father of three, Ohad was kidnapped along with his wife, who was released previously under the ceasefire. Described as a passionate lover of nature, he played a pivotal role within his family unit.
Or Levy, 34
Pulled from a bomb shelter during the chaos near the Nova music festival, Or had previously lost his wife in the attack, leaving their young son in the care of relatives.
Such accounts tell a heartbreaking narrative of the ongoing conflict and the human toll it has taken on both Israeli and Palestinian families. The situation continues to evolve, with families anxiously awaiting future releases amid the backdrop of intense negotiations and trauma.
