STORY: Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said Hamas would pay for failing to return the body of hostage Shiri Bibas, as agreed in the ceasefire deal.
That’s after Israeli specialists said one of the four bodies Hamas handed over on Thursday (Feb 20) was an unidentified woman instead.
The three other bodies included Bibas’ two infant sons, Kfir and Ariel, who were identified.
“We will act with determination to bring Shiri home along with all our hostages – both living and dead – and ensure Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement.”
Hamas said Bibas’ remains appeared to have been mixed with others after an Israeli airstrike hit the place she was being held.
Later adding that it was investigating the possible error.
Netanyahu gave no details on a possible Israeli response.
But the incident highlights the fragility of the month-old ceasefire deal, reached with U.S. backing and help from Qatar and Egypt.
The failure to return Bibas’ body during this staged public handover caused outrage in Israel.
“It’s like they make a joke of us. And the mother, they just sent a body and it’s so painful. So the family has to go and bury them and to make some sort of closure, and now the mother is missing and it’s so frustrating.”
The Red Cross said it was “concerned and unsatisfied” that the handover of the bodies had not been conducted privately and in a dignified manner.
Hamas is due to release six living hostages on Saturday, with the start of the negotiations for the ceasefire’s second phase expected in the coming days.
A group representing hostage families said they were “horrified and devastated” at the news…
And called for the ceasefire to continue so all 70 hostages could be returned from Gaza.
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