Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, who were feared dead following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The remains were identified as Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when abducted. Hamas claimed they were killed in Israeli airstrikes along with their guards.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed profound sorrow as the bodies were returned to Israel, stating, 'The heart of an entire nation breaks.' However, Israel and Hamas have not yet commenced negotiations for the next phase of the ceasefire, with the current phase set to conclude in early March.
