Head of the Israeli National Institute of Forensic Medicine Dr Chen Kugel said examiners had found no evidence Bibas and her children had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, as Hamas has claimed. Kugel did not give a cause of death.
Hamas has denied the Israeli military claim, based on forensic evidence and unspecified “intelligence”, that its militants killed the children “with their bare hands”, calling it a lie aimed at justifying Israeli military actions against civilians in Gaza.
A poster shows Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped to Gaza with her husband and two young sons.Credit: AP
Israel’s government didn’t respond to questions about the delay in releasing prisoners. Those meant to be freed included 151 serving life or other sentences for attacks against Israelis, as well as 445 men, 23 children aged 15 to 19, and a woman, all seized by Israeli troops in Gaza without charge during the war.
Hamas released the last six living hostages expected under the ceasefire’s first phase on Saturday – three Israeli men seized from the Nova music festival and another taken while visiting southern Israel during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023 that triggered the 16-month war in Gaza. The two other hostages had been held for a decade after entering Gaza on their own.
Omer Wenkert, Omer Shem Tov and Eliya Cohen were posed alongside Hamas fighters. A beaming Shem Tov, acting under duress, kissed two militants on the head and blew kisses to the crowd. They wore fake army uniforms, though they were not soldiers when abducted.
The ceasefire deal has paused the deadliest and most devastating fighting ever between Israel and Hamas, but there are fears the war will resume.
Demonstrators gather in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand the immediate release of hostages.Credit: AP
Hamas has said it will release four bodies next week, completing the truce’s first phase. After that, Hamas will hold over 60 hostages — about half believed to be alive.
Talks on the ceasefire’s second phase are yet to start, but negotiations are likely to be more difficult.
Hamas has said it won’t release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Netanyahu, with the backing of US President Donald Trump, says he is committed to destroying Hamas’ military and governing capacities and returning all hostages.
Families and supporters of the Israeli hostages rallied on Saturday night in Tel Aviv to pressure Netanyahu’s government for a deal.
“How is it possible that President Trump and special envoy [Steven] Witkoff are more committed to the return of Israeli hostages than you are?” Naama Weinberg, a cousin of deceased hostage Itay Svirsky, said. “Netanyahu, these are your citizens who were abandoned on your watch!”
Hamas later released a video showing two hostages still held, Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa Dallal, as they spoke under duress at the hostage handover on Saturday. A group representing hostage families called the video “sickening.”
Israel’s military offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence.
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The October 7 attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died in the war.
AP
