(NewsNation) — After an identity mix-up in Hamas’ hostage release earlier this week, Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas’ body has returned to her family, according to Israeli authorities.
Forensic officials confirmed the remains were hers Saturday morning.
“For 16 months we sought certainty, and now that it’s here, it brings no comfort, though we hope it marks the beginning of closure,” the family said, per the Associated Press.
Hamas turned over the bodies of four hostages to Israel, one of whom was said to be Bibas, a mother whose sons also died in captivity. But Israel discovered the body was not Bibas.
That body remains unidentified but is believed to belong to a Palestinian woman. Two of the bodies were Bibas’ two children, Ariel and Kfir, who were 4 years old and 9 months old, respectively, at the time of their Oct. 7, 2023, abduction. The fourth person was Oded Lifshitz, 83.
Hamas has released hostages each week since the ceasefire deal with Israel took effect on Jan. 19. On Saturday, six living hostages were freed. This is the final prisoner exchange in the first phase of the three-part ceasefire.
Monday marked the 500th day of the war.
