Hamas writes disturbing message on Shiri Bibas' coffin, switches her sons' names

The body of Shiri Bibas, 33, was returned alongside those of her little sons Ariel and Kfir, as well as another hostage – Oded Lifshitz, 84.

Published on: Feb 21, 2025, 01:01:36 IST

By Sumanti Sen

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Hamas reportedly left a sick message on the coffin of Shiri Bibas, one of the four Israeli hostages whose bodies they returned. The body of Shiri, 33, was returned alongside those of her little sons – Ariel, who was kidnapped when he was four, and Kfir, who was abducted when he was nine months old. Also handed over was the coffin of Oded Lifshitz, 84.

Israelis sit together as they light candles and mourn the deceased hostages Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas and her two children, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, seized during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, on the day their bodies were handed over under the terms of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel February 20, 2025. (REUTERS/Itay Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) (REUTERS)

The coffins of the two adults had a sign on them to indicate their “date of arrest” — Oct. 7, 2023 – the day they were abducted by Hamas. Israeli media reported that the coffin that carried Shiri was marked with the words, “Arrested on October 7,” the date signifying the day hundreds were killed when Hamas attacked Israel. The bodies of Kfir and Ariel were reportedly also placed in wrong coffins, with their names switched.

Hamas’ sickening public display

Hamas carried out a horrifying parade while handing over the bodies of the four Israeli hostages. The terror organisation blamed Israel and the US for the hostages’ deaths, with the coffins being displayed on stage in Khan Younis in front of a mural depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a vampire, with blood dripping from his fangs. Two missiles with English text were placed next to the coffins. “They were killed by USA bombs,” the text read. A photo of the Bibas family and Lifshitz was also shown in a pool of blood.

Heartbreaking footage had captured the moment Shiri and her sons were abducted by Hamas. In the video, Shiri appeared visibly distressed and frightened as she clutched her children while being taken away by terrorists.

Shiri and her family had been hiding in their home’s safe room when armed fighters broke into their house in a village near the Gaza border. They were eventually abducted. After the news of their deaths surfaced, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “settle the score with the vile murderers.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sumanti Sen
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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