In brief
Tensions continue to rise between Israel and Hamas as the militant group reports the return of a body it believes belongs to Shiri Bibas, a hostage captured during the tragic events of October 7, 2023.
Hamas officials confirmed on Friday that they have delivered the body of a woman believed to be Shiri Bibas to the Red Cross, following a previous incident where they mistakenly returned an incorrect body. Ms. Bibas, an Israeli mother taken along with her two young sons during a deadly assault, has become emblematic of the distress faced by families affected by the conflict.Just a day prior, Israeli authorities identified the remains delivered by Hamas as not belonging to Ms. Bibas after performing a DNA test. The Israeli military highlighted the incident as a significant breach of the cease-fire agreement that has, so far, facilitated the exchange of 19 living hostages for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners.International Red Cross officials did not provide immediate confirmation of their involvement in this latest handover. Hamas's foreign relations head, Mousa Abu Marzouk, expressed confidence that the body returned on Friday is indeed that of Ms. Bibas, a claim supported by officials within the militant group.The sequence of events surrounding the handover has raised questions about the reliability of the identification process. The ongoing cease-fire agreement is quickly approaching its expiration, with negotiations for its extension still at a standstill. As the situation develops, both sides grapple with the implications of past exchanges and the potential consequences of further mistakes. With the next transfer scheduled for Saturday, the pressure mounts on Hamas to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of future transactions to maintain the fragile peace. Reporting by Talya Minsberg and Adam Rasgon.
