Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Hamas would face consequences for failing to return the body of hostage Shiri Bibas as agreed under the ceasefire deal.
We will act with determination to bring Shiri home along with all our hostages – both living and dead – and ensure Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement.
Netanyahu accused Hamas of acting in an “unspeakably cynical manner” by delivering the body of an unidentified Gaza woman instead of Bibas, who was kidnapped along with her husband, Yarden, and their two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, during the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
The accusation followed reports from Israeli specialists that one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas on Thursday was not Shiri Bibas but an unidentified woman. Meanwhile, Bibas’ two sons, Kfir and Ariel, were among the hostages returned and identified.
Threat to ceasefire agreement
The incident raised concerns about the stability of the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered last month with US backing and the mediation of Qatar and Egypt.
It also remains unclear whether the dispute will delay or prevent the planned release of six living hostages scheduled for Saturday or disrupt negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire, which were expected to begin in the coming days.
Netanyahu’s strong condemnation of Hamas reflects Israel’s determination to secure the return of all hostages and hold Hamas accountable for any violations of the agreement. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions and complexities in the ceasefire negotiations, as both sides navigate the delicate process of hostage releases and potential extensions of the truce.
