Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed revenge against Hamas following explosive claims that the militant group returned the body of a Gazan woman instead of hostage Shiri Bibas. The dispute threatens to derail fragile ceasefire negotiations as Israel-Gaza tensions reach new heights.
The cruelty of the Hamas monsters knows no bounds
Israeli forensic experts confirmed three of four bodies released Thursday belonged to Bibas' children and octogenarian hostage Oded Lifschitz. However, the fourth coffin contained remains unlinked to known captives - an act the IDF calls a brazen violation of truce terms. Netanyahu accused Hamas of psychological warfare, stating: They did not return Shiri to her little children, the little angels.
Hamas officials counter that Shiri Bibas and her sons died in November 2023 under Israeli bombardment. Government Media Office director Ismail Al-Thawabta declared:
Netanyahu himself bears full responsibility for killing her and her children through merciless bombing
The Bibas family abduction from Nir Oz kibbutz during Hamas' October 7 attacks became one of the war's defining tragedies. Community leaders responded to Netanyahu's revenge pledge with: Release, not revenge - echoing relatives' demands to prioritize hostage recovery over retaliation.
Current ceasefire terms include:
- Six living hostages to be freed Saturday
- Four deceased captives returned next week
- 42-day initial pause in fighting
With over 30,000 Palestinian casualties reported in Gaza and 134 Israelis still captive, mediators scramble to salvage negotiations. Qatari officials confirm phase-two talks remain stalled as both sides trade blame. Analysts warn this hostage identification crisis could collapse the fragile peace framework entirely.
