In a announcement overnight between Thursday and Friday, the IDF stated that the body returned to them is not that of Shiri Bibas. The identification process, conducted at the National Center for Forensic Medicine in collaboration with the Israel Police, confirmed that the remains did not match Shiri or any of the other hostages.
The identification procedure involved multiple DNA cross-checks and thorough forensic examinations. Despite these efforts, no match was found. The clothing on the body was also carefully analyzed but could not be identified. The IDF emphasized that this is an anonymous body and stated: "Hamas has violated the agreement, and we demand the return of Shiri."
The IDF further warned that there are grave concerns for Shiri's life, based on solid intelligence information.
Israel has urgently conveyed to mediators that Hamas' failure to hand over Shiri Bibas' body constitutes a severe breach of the ceasefire agreement. Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for hostages and missing persons, spoke with Adam Boehler, a former Trump administration envoy for hostage affairs, to update him on the situation and stress Israel's demand for the immediate return of Shiri's remains.
At the same time, the IDF confirmed that Kfir and Ariel Bibas were brutally murdered in Hamas captivity no later than November 2023. This grim conclusion is based not only on DNA tests but also on forensic evidence and unequivocal intelligence findings gathered during the investigation. "This was a premeditated, deliberate, and cold-blooded murder," the statement said.
Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari personally informed the Bibas family at Kfar Maccabiah, alongside the children's father, Yarden, who himself had returned from Hamas captivity. The meeting was deeply emotional and painful. "There are no words to contain the magnitude of the pain and loss," Hagari described the difficult moments.
Additionally, the remains of Oded Lifshitz were also identified during the process. Experts determined that he was murdered by Hamas terrorists. Israel has briefed its US counterparts on the severity of these developments.
Previously, it had been reported that the terrorist group "Lords of the Wilderness," affiliated with Salafi jihadist ideology, was responsible for the kidnapping and captivity of the Bibas family.
The IDF confirmed that the planned release of hostages is still expected to take place on Saturday as scheduled, as part of ongoing negotiations and under the directives of Israel's leadership. Six hostages are set to return to Israel.
In Kibbutz Nir Oz, residents mourned the Bibas brothers:
"Ariel, who was kidnapped at age 4, was born and raised in Nir Oz. A cheerful and mischievous child, a true redhead who loved superheroes, tractors, and cars, and never stopped jumping and climbing. Kfir, who was kidnapped at just 9 months old, was a calm and smiling baby, with red hair and a heartwarming laugh. Everywhere he went, he beamed with joy at anyone who reached out to him."
"We will remember Ariel by his infectious laughter and Kfir by his innocent smile," they wrote, while also calling for Shiri's return. "In these dark moments, we demand the immediate return of their mother, Shiri Bibas, and we will not stop fighting until she is back, along with all the kidnapped residents of the kibbutz and the State of Israel."
