GENEVA:
Hamas transferred the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross on Thursday, amid criticism from the United Nations over the public display of the remains, which it deemed a violation of international law.
The remains of Israeli infant Kfir Bibas, his four-year-old brother Ariel, their mother Shiri Bibas, and a fourth hostage, Oded Lifschitz, were returned to Israel. The Red Cross facilitated the transfer, shielding the coffins from public view using white screens.
During the handover, a militant stood next to a poster depicting a man standing over coffins wrapped in Israeli flags, with the message: “The Return of the War = The Return of Your Prisoners in Coffins.”
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the act, emphasizing that under international law, the return of deceased individuals must be conducted with dignity and respect for both the deceased and their families.
Since the January 19 ceasefire, Hamas-led hostage releases have involved large public ceremonies in Gaza, drawing increasing criticism. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged that such operations be carried out discreetly, ensuring respect for the victims.
Hamas had previously claimed in November 2023 that the Bibas children and their mother were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Israel’s subsequent military response has reportedly caused around 48,000 fatalities in Gaza.
Following Thursday’s transfer of bodies, six living hostages are expected to be released on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees, primarily women and minors, held by Israeli forces.
