Israel claims Hamas killed Bibas children IDF spokesman contradicts Hamas cliam

The ongoing crisis between Israel and Hamas has escalated following revelations about the deaths of two young hostages, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, as well as the controversy surrounding the body of their mother, Shiri Bibas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that forensic evidence indicates the two boys, aged four and 10 months, were murdered by their captors in Gaza using “bare hands,” directly contradicting Hamas’s claim that they died in an Israeli airstrike in November 20231 2 3.

IDF’s Findings and Accusations

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, stated that intelligence and forensic examinations confirmed the brutal killings of the children shortly after their abduction during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. He described the murders as “crimes against humanity” and condemned Hamas for its “barbaric cruelty.” The IDF also accused Hamas of attempting to cover up these atrocities by providing misleading information about the circumstances of their deaths3 4.

In addition to the boys’ remains, Hamas handed over a body it claimed was Shiri Bibas. However, Israeli authorities determined that the body belonged to an unidentified Gazan woman, not Shiri. This has fueled accusations from Israel that Hamas violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement by failing to return all hostages or their remains2 3.

Hamas’s Response

Hamas reiterated its claim that Ariel and Kfir Bibas were killed in an Israeli airstrike and suggested there may have been a mix-up with Shiri Bibas’s remains. The group pledged to investigate the matter while maintaining its commitment to honoring the ceasefire agreement. It also called on Israel to return the body of the Palestinian woman mistakenly sent in place of Shiri3 4.

Broader Implications

The deaths of Ariel and Kfir Bibas have reignited tensions in Israel, with public outrage directed at both Hamas and Israeli leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed vengeance in a televised address, while opposition figures criticized his handling of hostage negotiations. The tragedy has also cast doubt on the fragile ceasefire established in January 2025, which included a hostages-and-prisoners exchange deal4 6.

The Hostage Family Forum, representing families of those abducted by Hamas, issued a statement calling for international condemnation of these acts and urging continued efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages. The forum described the killings as a moment of “moral clarity” requiring global unity against terrorism3.

Ceasefire Under Threat

This incident comes amid ongoing efforts to extend the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which is set to expire in early March 2025. The revelations about the Bibas family have added strain to these negotiations, with some Israeli officials advocating for a resumption of military operations against Hamas4 6.

The crisis underscores the deepening mistrust between both sides and highlights the challenges of achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.