Hamas Admits Potential Error in Handing Over Wrong Body, Calls for Israeli Cooperation
In a surprising turn of events, the Islamist group Hamas has acknowledged the possibility of a mistake after it handed over the body of an unidentified woman instead of the remains of Israeli Gaza hostage Shirel Bibi.
"We point out the possibility of an error or mix-up of bodies," the terror group stated in a statement.
According to Hamas, the mix-up occurred as a result of Israeli airstrikes targeting the location where Bibi’s family was being held along with other Palestinians. Hamas claims the family was being held against their will.
The female body initially identified by Hamas as Bibi was later revealed to be an unidentified individual, according to Israeli authorities. "We will investigate these allegations very seriously and announce the results," Hamas said in its statement, demanding the return of the body that was handed over the previous day.
The remains of Bibi’s two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, were also handed over on Thursday and identified in Israel. Experts have concluded based on intelligence and forensic examination that both boys were "brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity" in November 2023. The mother and the two young sons are believed to have held German citizenship as well.
Ismail Tawabtah, head of the Hamas-controlled government’s media office in the Gaza Strip, claimed that Bibi was buried under rubble along with other victims after an Israeli airstrike. He further stated that the remains could not be clearly identified and were "mixed up" with others. These claims cannot be independently verified at this time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hamas for providing the wrong body, calling them "cruel and malicious" and referring to them as "Hamas monsters." He vowed to hold them accountable in a video message and pledged to continue efforts to secure the release of all hostages.
The release of six additional Israeli hostages is scheduled for Saturday. Hamas has confirmed the names of the individuals as Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliyahu Cohen, Tal Schoham, Hisham al-Sayyid, and Avera Mengistu.
The admission of a potential error by Hamas marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the fate of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza. It remains to be seen whether Hamas will be able to clarify the circumstances surrounding the mix-up and whether it will cooperate fully with Israeli authorities to ensure the return of the correct body and the safe release of the remaining hostages.
Timeline of Events:
- November 2023: Bibi’s two sons, Ariel and Kfir, are brutally murdered in captivity by terrorists.
- Unknown date: Israeli hostages Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliyahu Cohen, Tal Schoham, Hisham al-Sayyid, and Avera Mengistu are taken captive by Hamas.
- Thursday, September 14, 2023: Hamas hands over the bodies of Ariel, Kfir, and an unidentified woman, claiming it is Bibi’s remains.
- September 15, 2023: Israeli authorities identify the woman as an unidentified individual, not Bibi.
- September 16, 2023: Hamas acknowledges the possibility of an error and calls for the return of the unidentified woman’s body.
- Saturday, September 17, 2023: Release of the six remaining hostages is scheduled.
