Gaza Ceasefire: Return of Hostages Sparks Political Debate and Public Grief

Bodies of Infant Kfir Bibas and Brother Ariel Handed Over Under Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

Netanyahu Faces Political Backlash, While Public Support for Ceasefire Remains Strong

The bodies of Israeli infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel were handed over by Hamas on Thursday as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal. The two boys, the youngest captives taken during the October 7, 2023 attack, had become symbolic of the broader tragedy of that day.

Red Cross vehicles transported four coffins from the handover site in the Gaza Strip. Each casket bore an image of the respective hostage, marking a somber moment in the conflict. Alongside the Bibas children, the remains of their mother, Shiri Bibas, and another hostage, Oded Lifschitz, were also returned.

The transfer was conducted under the ceasefire arrangement brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the grief of the nation, calling it “a difficult and painful day for Israel.”

Symbolism and Mourning

The Bibas family was taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community that suffered devastating losses during the October attack. Hamas previously claimed that Shiri and her children had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, though the deaths were never officially confirmed by Israeli authorities. Until the very end, many held onto hope that the children had survived.

“For us, they became a symbol of the horror we experienced,” said Yiftach Cohen, a resident of Nir Oz. “We wanted to believe that they would come home alive.”

The boys’ father, Yarden Bibas, had been returned earlier this month as part of a prisoner exchange. However, the family stated that closure would only come when they received confirmation of what truly happened to the children and their mother.

Oded Lifschitz, another hostage whose remains were returned, was a former journalist and a founding member of Kibbutz Nir Oz. His wife, Yocheved, was kidnapped alongside him but was released after two weeks. Lifschitz had previously criticized Netanyahu’s handling of security, including his policies regarding Hamas and Gaza.

Political Fallout and Public Opinion

The ceasefire agreement, which facilitated the return of hostages, has drawn sharp criticism from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners. Hardliners argue that the deal emboldens Hamas and fails to weaken its hold over Gaza. However, public sentiment tells a different story, with repeated surveys showing that a majority of Israelis support the ceasefire and hostage negotiations.

Thousands have taken to the streets, urging the government to continue working towards the release of the remaining captives.

Future Negotiations and Uncertain Prospects

The current ceasefire deal marks the first instance of bodies being returned. DNA testing will be conducted to officially confirm the identities of the deceased.

In the next phase of the agreement, six living hostages are set to be released on Saturday. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian detainees—primarily women and minors held by Israeli forces—will also be freed.

So far, Hamas has released 19 Israeli hostages, in addition to five Thai nationals in an unscheduled handover. Negotiations for a second phase of the agreement are expected to commence soon. This stage could involve the return of around 60 remaining hostages, fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive. The discussions will also address the potential full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a move that could significantly impact the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, international controversy continues to swirl over U.S. policy proposals, including former President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Palestinians be resettled outside Gaza. Critics have condemned such proposals as potential war crimes and acts of ethnic cleansing, while debates over the future governance of Gaza remain unresolved.

As the ceasefire plays out, the fate of the remaining hostages and the broader political landscape in the region remain deeply uncertain.