GAZA CITY: A Hamas official stated that it was likely the body of Shiri Bibas, a captive, had been mistakenly mixed with others who were killed and buried under the rubble in Gaza. This comment was made following a claim by Israel that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas on Thursday did not match Bibas’ identity, contrary to the militant group’s previous assertions.
The official, who remained anonymous, added that Hamas was investigating the issue to determine how the mix-up occurred. According to the official’s statement, Bibas’ body might have been confused with those of other individuals during the chaotic conditions in Gaza. However, the investigation is still ongoing, and no definitive conclusions have been made yet.
Israel had previously indicated that it was unable to verify the identity of the body delivered by Hamas, leading to confusion and concern. The Israeli government had received the body on Thursday, hoping it would be that of Bibas, but it was soon determined that the body did not match the description provided by Hamas. This situation raised doubts about the accuracy of the militant group’s claims regarding the captive’s fate.
In the wake of the ongoing investigation, both sides continue to deal with the challenges posed by the situation in Gaza. The mix-up has added complexity to the already tense and volatile situation, with humanitarian concerns also at the forefront of the conflict.
