Sat Feb 22 06:37:58 UTC 2025: ## Hamas Returns Remains of Israeli Woman, Shiri Bibas, After Mix-Up
**JERUSALEM** – The remains of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli woman killed during the recent Gaza conflict, have been returned to her family by Hamas, resolving a contentious issue that threatened to undermine a fragile ceasefire. The return came a day after Hamas initially handed over the wrong body, sparking outrage in Israel.
The Bibas family confirmed the identity of the remains on Saturday, following forensic analysis. In a statement, they expressed grief over Shiri’s death and the deaths of her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, whose remains were also returned earlier in the week, although the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear, with the Israeli government offering no details.
The initial mix-up occurred on Thursday when Hamas delivered four bodies, one of which was incorrectly identified as belonging to Shiri Bibas. This prompted strong condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed that Hamas would face consequences.
Hamas acknowledged the error, attributing it to the chaotic aftermath of Israeli airstrikes which caused significant damage and casualties. Hamas officials cited the difficulty in identifying bodies amidst the destruction, stating that the bombing had commingled the remains of both Israeli captives and Palestinians. They insisted that the mix-up was unintentional and not a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
The incident highlighted the sensitivity of the prisoner exchange process and the precarious nature of the ceasefire, brokered with the assistance of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. While 602 Palestinian prisoners were released on Saturday in exchange for six living Israeli captives, negotiations for a second phase of the prisoner exchange are expected to begin shortly. The return of Shiri Bibas’ remains, though bringing closure to her family, underscored the challenges in navigating the aftermath of a devastating conflict.
First Piper 