The Israeli military announced on Friday that one of the bodies released by Hamas does not belong to any of the hostages held in Gaza, accusing Hamas of breaching the fragile ceasefire agreement.
Two of the bodies were identified as infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel. However, a third body, initially thought to be their mother Shiri, was found not to match any of the hostages and remains unidentified.
\"This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obliged under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,\" the military stated, demanding the return of Shiri and all remaining hostages.
The family of hostage Oded Lifshitz confirmed that his body had been formally identified. As of now, there has been no immediate response from Hamas regarding the discrepancy.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged revenge against Hamas following the group's release of what it claimed were the remains of four hostages, including Kfir and Ariel, who were among the youngest abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack.
Palestinian militants transported four black coffins in a public display observed by a crowd of Palestinians and armed Hamas members, an act condemned by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The release of these remains was part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement brokered last month with support from the United States and mediation by Qatar and Egypt.
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Israeli military says body released by Hamas isn't a hostage
cgtn.com
