The Israel Defense Forces said the identification process was completed on the remains of four hostages returned by Hamas earlier in the day. However, the IDF said one of the bodies did not belong to Shiri Bibas, as Hamas had claimed.
"IDF representatives informed the Bibas family that their loved ones, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, have been identified," the IDF posted on X.
Ariel Bibas was just four years when he died. Kfir Bibas was ten months old.
"Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023," the IDF said, referring to Hamas.
"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," the IDF said. "This is an anonymous, unidentified body."
"This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages," the statement said. "We demand that Hamas return Shiri home with all our hostages."
Israel earlier in the day identified the remains of Oded Lifshitz, which were handed over by Hamas. Israel said Lifshitz was "murdered in captivity" by Hamas "over a year ago."
The father of Ariel and Kifir Babas, Yarden, was released alive by Hamas in Gaza earlier in the month. He was also taken hostage in the October 7, 2023 terror attacks on Israel.
