TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli official announced on Wednesday that the remains of both the youngest and one of the oldest hostages taken by Hamas during the initial attack that sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza are anticipated to be returned on Thursday.
The upcoming transfer is part of a ceasefire agreement that has temporarily halted hostilities in Gaza and will involve the bodies of a mother and her two young children, whose fate had been uncertain, as well as an elderly retired journalist in his 80s, according to the official, who requested to remain anonymous due to regulations.
This marks the first confirmation from Israeli authorities regarding the return of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, aged 4 years and 9 months, respectively, who were taken on October 7, 2023, alongside their mother, Shiri Bibas. A grassroots organization representing the families of hostages has also verified these names.
For many in Israel, the Bibas family has come to represent the collective suffering of those who were kidnapped. The family’s fate remained unclear for a significant duration of the conflict, and they released a statement on Wednesday urging the public to hold off on mourning until forensic confirmation of the remains can be obtained.
The remains of 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, who was abducted at the same time, will also be part of the handover, as confirmed by the official.
“The heart of an entire nation breaks,” stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.
Hamas has asserted that all four individuals died in Israeli airstrikes, while Israel had previously expressed “grave concern” over the well-being of the Bibas family.
Earlier this week, a senior Hamas leader announced that the group would return the bodies of these four individuals and release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners during the first stage of the ceasefire agreement.
The initial phase of the deal involves Hamas gradually releasing 33 hostages, with eight of those believed to be deceased. While the return of 19 live Israeli hostages has been celebrated across the country, the upcoming transfer of remains is expected to evoke a somber reaction.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya stated on Tuesday that the deceased would include the “Bibas family.” The Bibas family was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Their unfortunate situation captured the attention of Israelis who viewed it as a stark example of the violence inflicted during the initial assault. Earlier this month, Yarden Bibas, the husband and father, was released from captivity.
Lifshitz, a lifelong advocate for Arab rights, was among the oldest hostages held by Hamas. His daughter, an artist based in London, shared earlier this year her ongoing hope for his survival while also preparing for the possibility of a tragic outcome.
“These are challenging times for us, as we were informed that our beloved Oded is among those deceased hostages being returned,” stated his family. “For 502 days, we hoped and prayed for a different outcome. However, until we receive absolute certainty, our journey is not over. Even afterward, we will persist in our efforts until every last hostage is returned.”
As a journalist, Lifshitz was known for advocating the recognition of Palestinian rights and fostering peace between Jews and Arabs. In his later years, he was involved in a group called On the Way to Recovery, where he drove Palestinians to medical appointments in Israel.
The release of six living hostages scheduled for Saturday would signal a swift progression of the ceasefire agreement. In return, Israel is anticipated to continue the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving lengthy sentences for serious offenses. As part of the initial phase, Israel is also expected to release all women and children taken from Gaza since the conflict began.
