Over 500 days after their capture, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the return of the bodies of Kfir Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz to Israel. However, Hamas's actions continued to demonstrate a lack of respect for the deceased and their families. Instead of returning Shiri Bibas's remains, Hamas presented an unidentified body in a coffin bearing her name and photograph. The IDF confirmed through DNA testing that the body does not match any known hostage.
Adding to the egregious display, Hamas staged a public ceremony with four coffins, which drew widespread condemnation. The backdrop featured a derogatory caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside a banner accusing him and the Israeli army of war crimes. The coffins displayed photos of the victims, their names, and the date of the October 7th attacks labeled as their "arrest date."
From left to right: Shiri Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz. (Hostages Family Forum via AP)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, issued a statement emphasizing the international law requiring respectful treatment of deceased individuals and their families. However, many criticized the UN's seeming hesitancy to directly condemn Hamas for its actions.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, strongly denounced Hamas's actions as "evil and depraved," highlighting the terrorist organization's disregard for human life, particularly Israeli and Jewish lives. He also criticized international bodies like the UN for not explicitly condemning Hamas and demanding the immediate return of the hostages.
Israeli Permanent Member to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks during a session of the Security Council. (Israel United Nations mission)
Türk’s previous statements regarding the October 7th attacks, which appeared to draw parallels between Hamas's actions and Israel's response, have faced criticism. Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, accused Türk of contributing to Palestinian terrorism and global antisemitism, alleging that he prioritizes criticizing Israel over addressing human rights abuses elsewhere.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk during a press conference. (REUTERS/Yamam Al Shaar)
UN Watch, a UN watchdog organization, called for Türk's resignation, citing a report showing that he condemned the U.S. more frequently than several authoritarian regimes combined, while disproportionately focusing on Israel.
The image of Shiri Bibas clutching her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, became a poignant symbol of Hamas's brutality. Yarden Bibas, her husband and the children's father, was held captive separately and released on February 1st. In addition to the returned bodies, Israel expects to receive six living hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. In response to criticism of Türk's response, the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that he has consistently condemned war crimes committed by Palestinian armed groups.
