Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Hamas would “pay the absolute maximum” for not returning the remains of mother Shiri Bibas kidnapped along with two young sons Oct. 7, 2023 at in an attack.
Israeli military (IDF) confirmed on Thursday that the body of two of her sons, Ariel 4 and Kfir 9 months-old has been surrendered in exchange for the bodies but remains found to be that of another person. Netanyahu called Hamas’ an “unearthly cynical gesture” and indicated that the coffins contained an unknown Palestinian woman.
But Hamas says that Bibas and her kids were killed in an Israeli airstrike missile and argues her remains were “mixed” with others. Jerusalem said this is false because Hamas killed the family while they were in captivity last November. 
The grim exchange has badly worsened the situation, with efforts by Qatar and, Egypts to maintain a thin peace agreement weakened. Hamas also confirmed it agreed to the release of six remaining prisoners on Saturday but what will come next in the truce cannot be decisive.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday that he had “deep concern” for “the recent handling of the deceased’s remains” and called for respect for human dignity in their treatment.
At the same time, Israel continues its military operation in the West Bank where authorities linked two recent bus blasts in Tel Aviv to militants…. As tensions grow, Netanyahu said Israel will uphold its right to retrieve all the other hostages it keeps or else Hamas will see what happens when it is putting its step brother on a leash.
