On Wednesday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office revealed that Israel had received the names of the deceased hostages who will be repatriated on Thursday as part of the ongoing framework. The individuals to be returned include Shiri Bibas, her young sons, Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz.
The Prime Minister’s Office shared that Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, had informed the families of the hostages through IDF representatives. “At this difficult hour, our hearts are with the grieving families. Additional credible information will be provided as needed, and we request to refrain from disseminating rumors and unofficial information,” stated the Prime Minister’s Office.
The handover of the bodies by Hamas is expected to take place at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time in Bani Suheila, a region of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Sources suggest that Hamas will hold a ceremony as the bodies are transferred to the Red Cross.
Once the bodies are under the IDF’s care, a military ceremony will be held in Gaza. The bodies will then be transported by IDF vehicles, escorted by police, to Tel Aviv’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification, a process anticipated to take up to 48 hours.
The family of Oded Lifshitz released a statement: “These hours are not easy for us after we were updated that our beloved Oded is on the list of the deceased hostages who will return to Israel after he was abducted alive from his home in Nir Oz. For 502 days we hoped and prayed for a different ending, but until we get total confirmation, our journey is not over, and even after that, we will continue fighting until the last hostage is returned.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement expressing their sorrow: “We received the heart-shattering news that Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz are no longer with us. This news cuts like a knife through our hearts, the families’ hearts, and the hearts of people all over the world.”
The forum highlighted Oded’s role as a journalist and peace activist, as well as his efforts in founding Kibbutz Nir Oz. “He dedicated his life to helping others and transporting sick Gazans to Israeli hospitals, and his grandchildren called him ‘Super Grandpa’ for his wisdom and love.”
Shiri was described as a devoted mother and accountant, known for her generosity and love for others. “She touched everyone’s heart with her capacity for giving and love for others. Ariel, just four years old when kidnapped, loved Batman and playing with tractors in the garden. Baby Kfir, not even one-year-old when taken, had gorgeous red hair and a smile that could melt any person,” the forum wrote.
The forum continued, “They weren’t just names – they were beloved people, with families who cherished them, with dreams and futures stolen from them. We grieve not only for them but for the other precious lives lost, including four more deceased hostages who will be returned next week.”
“We will not rest. We will not stop fighting for every hostage who isn’t part of the current deal – for those still alive, clinging to survival, desperate to return to their loved ones and begin healing. And for those we know are deceased – their families deserve the dignity of closure, the basic right to give their loved ones a proper burial. This cannot continue. Not one more day. The second stage of the deal must happen NOW. There is no more time to waste. Not when every passing moment could mean another life lost, another family shattered. Bring them all home – NOW.”
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the nation in a video statement, saying: “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.”
He added: “We embrace the families, and the heart of the entire nation is torn. My own heart is torn. So is yours. And all of the world’s heart should be torn, because this demonstrates who we are dealing with, what we are dealing with — with such monsters. We are grieving, we are in pain, but we are also determined to ensure that such a thing never happens again,” the Prime Minister said.
{Matzav.com}