Shiri’s two sons, Ariel and Kfir, have been identified among the dead, with Israeli officials saying they were murdered by Hamas terrorists using their ‘bare hands’
February 21, 2025 17:24
The UK’s Foreign Office has called on Hamas to return Shiri Bibas to Israel following the revelation that the remains handed over during an “abhorrent” Hamas ceremony were not, in fact, hers.
The terror group had promised to release the bodies of four hostages – Shiri, her two sons Ariel and Kfir and elderly peace activist Oded Lifshitz – yesterday as part of the ceasefire deal.
Indeed, militants even conducted a harrowing signing ceremony in Khan Younis, during which they “paraded” four coffins in front of propaganda posters accusing Israel of being responsible for their deaths, before handing them over to the Red Cross.
But, while Lifshitz and the two children were returned, it has come to light that the supposed body of Shiri is actually that of an unidentified person whose DNA does not match either the Bibas mother or any other hostage.
Speaking exclusively to the JC, UK Middle East minister Hamish Falconer demanded that Shiri be returned immediately following the revelation.
He said: “The scenes I witnessed yesterday were deeply disturbing and extremely upsetting. The parading of coffins and treatment of the deceased is abhorrent. These were real people and real lives.
“Having met the families of those held hostage on a number of occasions, I have seen first-hand the incredible strength and bravery they have shown throughout such an horrific ordeal.
"For the Bibas family this nightmare continues. The killing of the young children, Kfir and Ariel, is heartbreaking. Shiri’s body must be returned to her family who continue to face immense pain.
“This suffering must end. This ceasefire must be upheld and all remaining hostages must be released. All terrorists who kidnapped individuals on 7th October must be held to account.”
His comments follow reports from Israeli officials that forensic analysis has determined that the two boys, Ariel just four and Kfir 10 months old when they died, were murdered by terrorists using their “bare hands”.
This contradicted the long-running Hamas claim that the family had died during an Israeli airstrike in November 2023.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ceasefire deal, one of the victims of a Palestinian prisoner released in exchange for Israeli hostages has spoken out to back the agreement.
Oran Almog, who was blinded in the 2003 Maxim restaurant bombing, urged negotiators to ensure the return of all hostages, even if it meant releasing violent criminals, so that captives have a chance to “live life again” just as he has.