Remains of Bibas Family and Journalist to be Returned in Ceasefire Agreement

The remains of the Bibas family, who were taken captive by Hamas during the attack that ignited the war in the Gaza Strip, are expected to be returned on Thursday. The handover, part of the ceasefire agreement that has paused the fighting in Gaza, will also include the body of a retired journalist in his 80s.

The Bibas family, including Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were 4 years old and 9 months old when they were taken captive on Oct. 7, 2023, were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their plight captivated Israelis who saw in them an embodiment of the brutality of Hamas’ attack. Yarden Bibas, the husband and father, was freed from captivity earlier this month.

The body of Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was abducted, will also be returned. Lifshitz, who spent his life fighting for Arab rights, was one of the oldest hostages taken by Hamas. His daughter, a London-based artist, said in January she was holding onto hope that he survived but also prepared for the worst.

The release of the six living hostages on Saturday would mark an acceleration of the ceasefire deal. Israel is expected to continue releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences for deadly attacks. During the first phase, Israel is also due to release all women and children seized from Gaza since the war began.