Netanyahu vows revenge on Hamas for releasing wrong body in prisoner exchange, Hamas vows probe

Hamas suggested there could have been a mix-up with the remains of the bodies and will “conduct a thorough review.”

Published: February 21, 2025 1:51pm

Updated: February 21, 2025 2:49pm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday vowed revenge against Hamas for returned the wrong deceased prisoner of war, argue the exchaged violated the sides' roughly 4-week-old ceasefire agreement. 

On Thursday, Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages. They were supposed to be Shiri Bibas, her sons, Kfir and Ariel, and Oded Lifshitz.

Israel confirmed that the bodies of the two children and Lifshitz were there, but the fourth was the body of an unidentified woman from Gaza, according to The Associated Press.

“We will work with determination to bring Shiri home together with all our hostages – both living and dead – and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and malicious violation of the agreement,” Netanyahu said in a statement. 

Hamas suggested there could have been a mix-up with the remains of the bodies and will “conduct a thorough review.”

The group also said it didn't have an interest in retaining the bodies “demonstrated full compliance with the agreement."

Hamas is supposed to release living hostages over the weekend as part of the ceasefire deal it has with Israel. The Israel-Hamas war began after Hamas on Oct. 7,  2003, conducted a surprise attack on Israel and killed 1,200 people. 

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