Israeli authorities have confirmed that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas during a recent hostage exchange was not that of the missing Israeli mother, Shiri Silberman-Bibas.
Silberman-Bibas, along with her infant son Kfir and five-year-old son Ariel, was abducted on October 7 when Hamas launched a deadly assault on southern Israel.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that the remains Hamas returned were actually those of a Gazan woman, not Shiri.
He strongly denounced the incident, calling it a “cruel and malicious” act, and vowed that Hamas would face consequences.
In response, Hamas claimed the remains had been mistakenly “mixed up with others” who had perished in an Israeli airstrike.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials confirmed the identities of Shiri’s two young sons, whose remains were handed over along with two other bodies on Thursday.
One of the bodies was identified as Oded Lifshitz, an 83-year-old who was taken hostage during the October 7 attacks.
Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to securing the return of all remaining hostages. “We will continue working with determination to bring Shiri home, along with all our hostages—both living and deceased—and ensure Hamas pays the full price for this heartless violation of the agreement,” he stated.
He also paid tribute to those who had been recovered, saying, “The memory of Oded Lifshitz, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas will remain in the heart of the nation forever. May their blood be avenged.”
Shiri and her children had sought refuge in a safe room when their community came under attack, while her husband, Yarden, attempted to defend them with only a small pistol. As gunfire erupted outside, he sent a final message to his family: “I love you all.”
Later, distressing footage surfaced showing Shiri clutching her two sons as Hamas fighters forcibly took them away. In the video, panicked voices can be heard crying out, “She has a baby,” as the terrified mother sobbed while being led away.
