Hamas Accused of Substituting Wrong Body in Hostage Remains Transfer

Israel condemns Hamas for handing over the body of a Gaza woman instead of Shiri Bibas, as part of a contentious hostage exchange agreement.

The remains of two Israeli children, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, were confirmed as part of a transfer of four bodies by Hamas, but their mother Shiri Bibas' body was not included.
Instead, Hamas handed over the body of a woman from Gaza, prompting accusations of bad faith from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The transfer, part of a January 2025 ceasefire agreement, also included the body of 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz, a peace advocate, who was confirmed as deceased for over a year.
The staged presentation of the bodies by Hamas, featuring propaganda banners and armed guards, drew widespread condemnation for its insensitivity and use of the deceased for political messaging.
International leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have joined calls for the return of Shiri Bibas' remains and the release of all remaining hostages.