Bibas Family: Hamas claims three civilians killed in Israeli strikes
The Israeli military responded to claims by the military wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, that three members of an Israeli family – Shiri Bibas, 4-year-old Ariel, and 10-month-old Kfir – were killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that the IDF is “examining the reliability of the information.” He also specifically mentioned that IDF representatives talked with the Bibas family about the claim and are accompanying them at this time. In response, The Bibas family stated they are “waiting for the information to be confirmed and hopefully refuted by military officials.”
The plight of the Bibas family has garnered international attention due to their abduction by Hamas militants during the group’s ferocious rampage across southern Israel. These events triggered protests last Tuesday night in Tel Aviv, as hundreds of people rallied to demand the release of the remaining hostages. Families of the captives shared disturbing us details, including that hostages were forced to watch videos of previous attacks and sometimes even faced violence.
Amid tension between Israel and Hamas, negotiations have taken place with the Qataris acting as intermediaries between the two sides. As part of a recent negotiated deal, Hamas released 12 hostages, with the potential for more negotiations to extend the short-term ceasefire. These negotiations come with the backdrop of mournful events that have disrupted peace and challenged the restorative hope associated with ceasefire agreements. CBS News person Yifat Zailer shared a heartbreaking personal account, recalling how the children of her relative rapidly became innocent hostages swept up in political violence and only recently, the reported deaths of the family members by Hamas. The tragic events have reignited the urgent desire for peace in the region.
