Agony, Pain’: Israel Grieves as Hamas Returns Bodies of Four Hostages, Including Mother and Her Toddlers

Israel is in mourning after receiving the bodies of four hostages from Hamas in Gaza, delivered through the Red Cross. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed profound sorrow over their deaths, calling it a national tragedy.

“Our hearts—the hearts of the entire nation—lie in tatters,” Herzog said in a statement. “Agony. Pain. There are no words. On behalf of the State of Israel, I bow my head and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not protecting you on that terrible day. Forgiveness for not bringing you home safely. May their memory be a blessing.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office urged the public to respect the privacy of the victims’ families and to avoid spreading unverified information. Officials confirmed that the bodies were transferred to an IDF force and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) inside Gaza before being transported to Israel’s National Center of Forensic Medicine for identification.

#### Tragic Fate of the Bibas Family

Among those whose remains were returned was Shiri Bibas, 32, along with her two young children, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, who was just nine months old at the time of their abduction. The Bibas family was kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Shiri’s husband, Yarden, was taken separately but was released earlier this month after 484 days in captivity.

While Hamas had claimed that Shiri and her children were killed shortly after the war began, Israel refused to confirm their deaths until definitive proof was received. The Bibas family’s abduction had deeply affected Israelis, sparking nationwide campaigns for their release. The return of their bodies has generated global shock and condemnation.

Another victim was 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, also kidnapped from Nir Oz along with his wife, Yocheved. While Yocheved was freed in a hostage deal in November 2023, Oded remained in captivity. A retired journalist and peace activist, he had spent years personally helping transport Gazans into Israel for work.

#### Ceasefire Deal and Prisoner Exchange

The return of the hostages’ bodies is part of a ceasefire deal mediated between Israel and terrorist groups in Gaza. As part of the first phase of the agreement, Hamas is expected to release six more living hostages and four additional bodies in the coming days.

In exchange, Israel has begun releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were jailed for involvement in deadly terrorist attacks.