‘The Heart of the Entire Nation Is Torn,’ Netanyahu Says Ahead of Release of Dead Captives

Deceased hostages Oded Lifschitz, Kfir Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Shiri Bibas (Facebook) Facebook

The slain hostages expected to be returned for burial are Shiri Bibas and her young sons, Ariel and Kfir, as well as octogenarian Oded Lifshitz.

By JNS

The heart of the entire Jewish nation is torn, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursday’s release of the bodies of four hostages killed in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

The slain hostages returned for burial on Thursday are Shiri Bibas (32 when taken) and her young sons, Ariel (4 when he was taken) and Kfir (9 months old when he was taken), as well as Oded Lifshitz (83 when taken), the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed after officially informing the families. They were kidnapped and dragged into the Gaza Strip during the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

“Tomorrow will be a very difficult day for the State of Israel,” the video statement by the Israeli premier opened. “A wrenching day, a day of grief. We are bringing home four of our beloved hostages, deceased.

“We embrace the families, and the heart of the entire nation is torn. My own heart is torn. So is yours,” stated Netanyahu. “And all of the world’s heart should be torn because this demonstrates who we are dealing with, what we are dealing with—with such monsters.

“We are grieving, we are in pain, but we are also determined to ensure that such a thing never happens again,” concluded the premier.

The Israeli healthcare system and the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv prepared to receive the deceased hostages, while mental-health organizations were gearing up to address the emotional impact on the families of the captives and the public.

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross took custody of the bodies from Hamas at a designated transfer point and hand them over to Israeli soldiers early Thursday morning. A military ceremony was be conducted inside the Strip by a rabbi, who recited Psalms and recite the Kaddish mourning prayer.

They were then be airlifted to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, where experts were set to examine the remains to confirm identification and determine the cause and time of death.

The forensic identification process includes imaging scans, DNA sample analyses and comparisons with existing medical records, such as dental X-rays. This process takes several hours.

Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of many of the captives, has urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors and to avoid contacting families about the matter.

“We received the heart-shattering news that Shiri Bibas, her children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz are no longer with us. This news cuts like a knife through our hearts, the families’ hearts and the hearts of people all over the world,” the organization said in a press release.

“They weren’t just names—they were beloved people, with families who cherished them, with dreams and futures stolen from them,” it said. “We grieve not only for them, but for the other precious lives lost, including four more deceased hostages who will be returned next week.”

According to official Israeli estimates, 73 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip after more than 500 days, including 70 taken during the Oct. 7 attacks. This figure includes the remains of at least 35 hostages.