On Thursday, Israel anticipates the return of four hostages from Gaza, including three members of the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz, an 83-year-old Israeli. Tragically, these individuals were among those killed during the October 7 terror attacks on Israel. The Bibas family members, Shiri and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, were included in this devastating toll. At just nine months old, Kfir was the youngest to be kidnapped into Gaza and subsequently killed. This poignant handover marks the first return of hostage bodies since the ceasefire with Hamas commenced in January.
The announcement of the deceased hostages' names has sparked tension, particularly within the Bibas family. They expressed anger at the Israeli Prime Minister's Office for releasing these names without their consent. While the office had not officially published a statement, IDF liaison officers had permitted reporters to disseminate the names. In response, the Bibas family implored the public not to "eulogize our loved ones until there is a confirmation after final identification."
"This is a serious mistake in the conduct of the IDF liaison officers towards the Bibas family, which resulted from an unfortunate human error," a source in the Prime Minister’s office stated.
"We regret the unintentional mistake and the distress it caused the families," expressed the IDF.
Oded Lifshitz was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, along with his wife, Yocheved. While Hamas released Yocheved later that month, Oded remained in captivity. His family expressed their mixed emotions upon learning of his expected return.
"These are not easy times for us, after we were informed that our beloved Oded is on the list of the hostages who will return to Israel tomorrow, after being kidnapped alive from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz," noted Lifshitz's family.
"For 502 days we hoped and prayed for a different ending, but until we receive absolute certainty, our journey will not end, and even after that we will continue to fight until the last hostage is returned," they added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation through a heartfelt video message, sharing his personal grief and the collective sorrow felt by Israel.
"Tomorrow will be a very difficult day for the state of Israel. A wrenching day, a day of grief. We are bringing home four of our beloved hostages, deceased," Netanyahu declared.
"We are grieving, we are in pain, but we are also determined to ensure that such a thing never happens again," he continued.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum echoed these sentiments, acknowledging both the pain and relief accompanying the return.
"Along with the heavy sorrow, their return for burial creates certainty for their loved ones and closes the agonizing circle of uncertainty that has lasted for 502 days," stated the forum.
Despite this moment of closure, the forum highlighted that there remain other individuals still held captive.
"There are another 69 abductees being held captive by Hamas, for whom there is still no release date," they pointed out.
As Israel prepares for this emotional day, the nation reflects on both its losses and its resilience. The return of these hostages' bodies serves as a somber reminder of ongoing tensions and unresolved anguish.
