Hamas Returns Bodies of Israeli Hostages, Negotiations for Ceasefire Continue
Hamas has handed over deceased hostages Shiri Bibas, her sons Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel.
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The war is the deadliest in Israel’s history.
Hamas hands over the bodies of four dead Israeli hostages
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On a bleak late winter's day, under leaden skies and occasional driving rain, this was the moment all Israelis had been dreading.
Return of bodies marks day of anguish for Israel
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The appalling handover is likely to put even more strain on the precarious cease-fire agreement Hamas reached with Israel on Jan. 19.
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The somber mood across Israel on Thursday contrasted with the sense of joy and relief that have accompanied the recent return of living hostages under the month-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas returns bodies of 4 Israeli hostages said to include a mother and her 2 young children
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The militant group is set to release six more Israeli hostages on Saturday, Feb. 22, which is double the number initially planned.
Hamas releases bodies of 4 hostages, including mother and 2 young sons
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During the handover, Hamas released a statement that read in part, "To the families of Bibas and Lifshitz: We would have preferred your sons to return to you alive, but your army and government leaders chose to kill them instead of bringing them back."
Bodies of 4 hostages, believed to include Bibas family, released by Hamas
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The Bibas boys were the youngest Israeli hostages and the only children still held in captivity by Hamas after 100 hostages were released in a short-lived ceasefire agreement in November 2023.
Bodies of Bibas boys returned to Israel in tragic end for youngest Oct. 7 hostages
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The release of four bodies represents four total failures.
The Guardian·2M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.Since the war in Gaza began, more than 50,000 people have died in Gaza and Lebanon and nearly 70% of the buildings in Gaza have been devastated, according to health ministries in Gaza and Lebanon.
Middle East latest: Israel receives remains said to include a mother and her 2 young children
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The days of uncertainty were “brutal” as they waited to see if the ceasefire would collapse.
American-Israeli hostage only found out he was a new dad after 498 days in Hamas captivity
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More than half the hostages, and most of the women and children, have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
Hamas returns bodies of 4 Israeli hostages, believed to include mother and her 2 young children
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This release is the first one involving the transfer of slain hostages since the ceasefire deal went into effect last month.
Hamas hands over bodies of 4 slain Israelis, including Shiri Bibas and her two young boys
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Hamas has handed over what it said are the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two young sons who had become a symbol in Israel of the plight of hostages held in Gaza.
Hamas releases the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including mother and young sons
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The future of the ceasefire remains uncertain, as Netanyahu has reiterated his goal of dismantling Hamas' military capabilities.
Hamas displays 4 black coffins ahead of hostage remains handover
Newsweek·2M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.But when Hamas unveiled black coffins on a stage under a rain-washed grey sky in southern Gaza, with the photos of the two Bibas children and their mother pinned onto them, one on each of the caskets, hope in Israel turned to grief.
Hope Turns to Heartbreak for Israel's Bibas Hostage Family
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Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, with thousands more remaining under the rubble of the bombed-out, besieged enclave.
Hamas releases bodies of four Israelis held captive in Gaza
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The first return of hostage bodies marks a hugely emotional and somber moment for Israel.
Hamas hands over bodies of four Israeli hostages, said to include Bibas children and their mother
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Summary
On February 20, 2025, Hamas transferred the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, to the Red Cross in Gaza. During a ceremony in Khan Younis, the coffins were handed over amidst political tensions, with Hamas stating they preferred the hostages to return alive. Israeli officials confirmed receipt, stating forensic analyses will be performed for identity verification. The handover coincides with ongoing negotiations for a second phase of ceasefire following earlier releases. Meanwhile, six hostages are set for release on February 22, while 73 remain in Gaza.
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