JERUSALEM — On Thursday, the remains of four individuals believed to be captives taken by Hamas were returned to Israel, including those presumed to be the last female and child hostages from Gaza. This event raised the total number of individuals released since the ceasefire commenced on January 19 to 28. Among the returned bodies are thought to be Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, whose abduction during the deadly assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, captured the hearts of many Israelis. The final identification of the bodies is still pending.
The terms of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement stipulate the release of 33 hostages held in Gaza, of which eight are confirmed deceased, in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. In addition, five Thai workers who were present in Israel on the day of the Hamas attack were released last month under a separate arrangement.
During the attack on October 7, Hamas militants captured 251 individuals, and to date, over 60 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza. While many of these captives are presumed dead, others have been freed or found deceased. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military operations have reportedly claimed the lives of more than 48,000 Palestinians, with the exact number of combatants among them unspecified; however, the report claims more than half were women or children.
Among the known hostages returned are those of Shiri Bibas and her sons, Ariel and Kfir. The three were taken during the Hamas attack, alongside Shiri’s husband, Yarden, who was released earlier this month. A video of their abduction circulated broadly, showing a distressed Shiri cradling her children as militants seized them. Ariel, just four years old at the time, loved Batman, while Kfir, the baby with red hair, evoked deep emotions around the families of the hostages.
The body of Oded Lifshitz, 84, was also returned. Lifshitz was one of the oldest hostages taken, having been captured from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz with his wife, Yocheved, who was subsequently released in a prior ceasefire. Family concerns about his fate grew as they suspected he may not have survived captivity. A notable figure in his community, Oded was well-regarded for his advocacy for Palestinian rights and his humanitarian efforts in aiding the Bedouin people.
Another significant return was that of Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, a dual Israeli-American. Chen was abducted while directing his family to safety during the attack. His wife, Avital, who was pregnant at the time, has since given birth to their third daughter. He is also known for his community contributions in the arts and sports.
Iair Horn, 46, and Alexander “Sasha” Troufanov, 29, were also part of the recent releases. Horn was taken alongside his brother; the latter continues to remain in captivity. Troufanov was captured with his family, and while his father tragically died during the attack, the rest of his family returned during an earlier ceasefire.
Eli Sharabi, 52, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri, an area heavily affected by the attack. Tragically, his family suffered the loss of his wife and daughters during the violence. Ohad Ben Ami, 56, a father of three, was among the captives returned as well, along with Or Levy, 34, who was taken from a music festival where violence erupted, leading to the loss of his wife.
The release of Yarden Bibas, 35, cast doubt on the survival hopes of his family, as Hamas claimed they were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Following the abduction, photos showed him severely injured.
Keith Siegel, 65, originally from North Carolina, was taken alongside his wife, who has since campaigned relentlessly for his safe return since her release. The emotional toll of prolonged captivity has been highlighted by various families, demonstrating the strain and anxiety that accompany these tragic circumstances.
The return of the bodies and the ongoing negotiations for hostages have brought both solace and heartache to families caught in the turmoil of violence and loss. The complex situation continues, as families hold onto hope for the safe return of loved ones still unaccounted for.
