Netanyahu Threatens Hamas: Shiri Bibas Case

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Netanyahu strongly reacted to Hamas’s failure to return Shiri Bibas’s body.
Israeli military accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas denied Netanyahu’s allegations, citing the mixture of remains after an Israeli airstrike.
Remains of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel were among those released.
Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and bring back hostages taken during the October 7 attack.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Friday that Israel would make Hamas pay for not returning the body of hostage Shiri Bibas, as had been agreed upon. His reaction followed confirmation from the Israeli military that one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas did not belong to any of the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. This led to accusations that Hamas had violated the fragile ceasefire agreement. The Netanyahu Hamas conflict is ongoing.

Netanyahu’s Threat

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In a video statement, Netanyahu asserted, “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.” The search for Shiri Bibas continues.

Identification of Remains

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The remains of two children, 10-month-old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel, were confirmed to be among those returned. However, the third body, expected to be that of their mother, Shiri Bibas, did not match any known hostage, leaving her fate uncertain. The fourth body was identified as that of hostage Oded Lifshitz.

Israeli Military Statement

The Israeli military issued a statement emphasizing, “This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organisation, which is obliged under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,” demanding the immediate return of Shiri and all remaining hostages. The situation is being treated with the utmost seriousness.

Hamas’s Denial

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has since reacted to Netanyahu’s allegations, denying any wrongdoing and claiming that Shiri Bibas’s remains appear to have been mixed with other human remains from the rubble after an Israeli air strike hit the location where she was held. Reuters reported this claim. This complicates the already difficult situation.

Display of Bodies

The transfer of the remains occurred in a highly publicized event, with Palestinian militants handing over four black coffins in a public display watched by armed Hamas fighters and a gathered crowd. This scene drew sharp criticism from international leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who condemned the “abhorrent and appalling” display. The display was seen as disrespectful to the deceased.

Ceasefire Agreement

The remains were handed over as part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Israelis lined the roads near the Gaza border, braving the rain to pay their respects as the convoy carrying the coffins passed by. In Tel Aviv, mourners gathered in Hostages Square, the symbolic site of demonstrations calling for the return of captives.

President Herzog’s Statement

President Isaac Herzog expressed the nation’s grief, stating, “Agony. Pain. There are no words. Our hearts – the hearts of an entire nation – lie in tatters.” The emotional impact of this situation is profound.

Netanyahu’s Resolve

In a recorded address, Netanyahu declared that the return of the bodies only strengthened Israel’s resolve to eliminate Hamas and ensure that such an attack never happens again. “Our loved ones’ blood is shouting at us from the soil and is obliging us to settle the score with the despicable murderers, and we will,” he affirmed. Israel remains committed to its objectives.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember