The body of Shiri Bibas, the mother of two young boys murdered by Palestinian terrorists while in captivity in Gaza after the family was kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023 in a terror attack, was not among the bodies returned to Israel on Thursday. This was revealed after Israel tested the remains.

Hamas said earlier in the week that the bodies of hostages being returned to Israel would include Shiri Bibas and her two boys, Ariel and Kfir, ages 4 and 10 months, as well as Oded Lifshitz, an 85-year-old retired journalist and peace activist. Though Israel's National Institute of Forensic Medicine was able to positively identify the bodies of the young boys, the female body wasn’t their mother. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement, "During the identification process, it was determined that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage. This is an anonymous, unidentified body."

"According to the assessment of professional officials, based on the intelligence available to us and forensic findings from the identification process, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bibas family during this incredibly difficult time and remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure Shiri and all the hostages are brought home at the earliest opportunity."

According to The Times of Israel, Hamas terrorists inserted propaganda material into the coffins before returning them to Israel. The terrorists also locked the coffins and provided incorrect keys to open them. Israel called the murder of the children a "violation of utmost severity" by Hamas, and demanded the Palestinian terrorists return the body of Shiri Bibas and all other hostages. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon wrote on X that Hamas continues to "violate every basic moral value."

"Instead of returning Shiri, the mother of Kfir and Ariel, Hamas returned an unidentified body, as if it were a worthless shipment. This is a new low, an evil and cruelty with no parallel." He called out UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the UN Security Council and the General Assembly for continuing to remain silent in the face of Hamas' "barbarity.” He added, "History will remember well who stood by and remained silent while Hamas trampled on the most basic principles of humanity."  

The boys and their mother were abducted by Palestinian civilians from their home during the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. Yarden Bibas, Ariel and Kfir's father, was also taken hostage. He was returned as part of the ceasefire agreement on Feb. 1. 70 hostages are still being held by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza and approximately half are believed to be dead. Hamas has been holding Israeli dead hostage in exchange for the freeing of hundreds of Palestinian criminals held in Israeli prisons.