U.S. and Netanyahu say ceasefire violated after Hamas returns wrong body
The U.S. condemned Hamas after a body released by the militant group in a recent hostage-prisoner exchange was found not to be that of an Israeli mother as promised, raising tensions over a fragile ceasefire.
Adam Boehler, U.S. envoy for hostages, called the incident "horrific" and a "clear violation" of the ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retribution.
Why It Matters
Hamas handed over four bodies on Thursday. They were supposed to be those of Shiri Bibas, 33, and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, as well as Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was abducted in October 2023.
Shiri, Ariel and Kfir have long been feared dead. Nine-month-old Kfir was the youngest captive of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants during the October 7 attack, in which some 1,200 people were also killed. Shiri's husband, Yarden Bibas, was taken separately and released earlier in February.
The Bibas family became a symbol of the hostage crisis in Israel, with widespread public campaigns calling for their safe return. The family's ordeal captured national attention, with images of the two red-haired children displayed across Israeli cities.
The ceasefire agreement, which paused more than 15 months of hostilities, remains in a precarious position.
What To Know
Netanyahu on Friday denounced what he called a "cruel and malicious violation" of the ceasefire deal after Israeli authorities determined that one of the four bodies returned by Hamas was not that of Shiri Bibas. Instead, Israeli officials identified the remains as those of an unidentified Palestinian woman.
In a statement, Hamas attributed the misidentification to the chaotic conditions caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. The group claimed that multiple bodies had been buried together because of heavy bombardment and said that it would review the incident.
Israeli officials confirmed that the remains of the Bibas' two children, Kfir and Ariel, along with Lifshitz, were positively identified.
Meanwhile, a series of explosions struck parked buses in central Israel overnight, with no reported casualties. While no group has claimed responsibility, the Israeli military announced increased deployments in the West Bank, signaling a potential escalation.
What People Are Saying
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "We will work with determination to bring Shiri home together with all our hostages—both living and dead—and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and malicious violation of the agreement."
Hamas, in a statement: "We have no interest in retaining any bodies. We have demonstrated full compliance with the agreement in recent days and remain committed to all its terms."
U.S. Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler told CNN: "If I were , I'd release everybody or they are going to face total annihilation."
What Happens Next
Despite the dispute, Hamas has said that the scheduled release of six Israeli hostages will proceed on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Hamas has also pledged to turn over four more bodies next week. However, uncertainty looms over whether the ceasefire will be extended beyond the current phase.
If the planned releases proceed as scheduled, Hamas will still hold about 60 hostages, with about half believed to be alive. The group has insisted that it will not release any remaining captives without a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—demands that Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected.
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.