Latest news with #HostagesandMissingFamiliesForumHeadquarters
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Remains of Shiri Bibas positively identified after eventually being handed over by Hamas
The body of a woman who was presumed to have been one of four dead hostages killed by Hamas and handed over to Israel this week was positively identified Saturday morning. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters confirmed the identification of Shiri Bibas, who was returned to Israel on Friday after Hamas initially instead handed over a Palestinian woman from Gaza on Thursday. Hamas on Friday handed over a coffin carrying Bibas' remains to the Red Cross, which turned the coffin over to Israeli authorities. The coffin was then taken to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification. "Last night, our Shiri was returned home," the family said in a statement. "Following the identification process at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, we received this morning the news we had dreaded – our Shiri was murdered in captivity and has now returned home to her sons, husband, sister, and all her family for rest." Remains Of Shiri Bibas, Mom Of Two Killed, Allegedly Returned To Israel Following Hamas' Broken Promise "Despite our fears about their fate, we continued to hope that we would get to embrace them, and now we are in pain and heartbroken," it continued. "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." Read On The Fox News App The family said "Shiri was a wonderful mother to Ariel and Kfir, a loving partner to Yarden, a devoted sister and aunt, and an amazing friend." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Hamas would "pay the full price" for allegedly handing over the body of a Palestinian woman from Gaza instead of Bibas' remains. Terror Group Responds After Failing To Return The Body Of Murdered Hostage Shiri Bibas The Israeli military earlier said it had positively identified the remains of Bibas' two sons — Ariel and Kfir Bibas — along with Oded Lifshitz. Four bodies were returned on Thursday, but the one expected to be holding Shiri Bibas was not holding any hostage. Hamas said it "has no interest in withholding any bodies in its possession." The terror group said the dead hostages it handed over on Thursday had been killed by an Israeli airstrike in November 2023 and that the bodies could have been misidentified due to bombardments in the area. After the return of Shiri Bibas, the family is calling for the return of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Six are being released on Saturday. "In this difficult hour, we continue to demand and call for the immediate return of the remaining hostages still in captivity. There is no more important goal. There can be no rehabilitation without them," the Bibas family said. Fox News' Yonat Friling and The Associated Press contributed to this article source: Remains of Shiri Bibas positively identified after eventually being handed over by Hamas
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer ‘deeply saddened' by death of UK-linked hostage after body returned
The Prime Minister has said he is 'deeply saddened' by the death of UK-linked Hamas hostage Oded Lifshitz. The body of Mr Lifshitz, 84, was confirmed as one of four returned to Israel by Hamas on Thursday, as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange under the current ceasefire agreement. Mr Lifshitz's family, including his British-based daughter, Dr Sharone Lifschitz, had received no information on his whereabouts since the Hamas attack on October 7 2023, when he was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday: 'I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Oded Lifshitz after he was taken hostage by terrorists in Gaza, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his daughter Sharone and his wife Yocheved. 'When I met Sharone in Downing Street, she showed remarkable strength in the face of the most difficult circumstances. 'The news of her father's death is a tragedy. It is my hope that the peace he worked to see in the region through his charity work and activism will be achieved. 'My thoughts are also with the Bibas family, who have faced immense pain as they awaited news of Shiri and her sons Kfir and Ariel. 'We must see all remaining hostages released, and the ceasefire upheld. My government remains committed to working with our international partners to bring an end to this suffering and secure a long-term peace in the Middle East.' Earlier on Thursday, a statement from Mr Lifshitz's family, released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, said: 'We received with deep sorrow the official and bitter news confirming the identification of our beloved Oded's body. STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY LAWYERS FOR THE BRITISH HOSTAGE FAMILIES 20 February 2025 Today, 20 February 2025, is one of immense sadness, and of appears that 503 days after they were taken from their homes by Hamas terrorists, the bodies of four people have… — Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) February 20, 2025 'Five hundred and three agonising days of uncertainty have come to an end. We had hoped and prayed so much for a different outcome. 'Now we can mourn the husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who has been missing from us since October 7. 'Our family's healing process will begin now and will not end until the last hostage is returned.' Mr Lifshitz was a retired Israeli journalist, a great-grandfather and a grandfather of 11. His wife, Yocheved, 86, was also taken hostage but was released two weeks later. Adam Wagner, the lawyer for Dr Lifschitz, 53, of Walthamstow, east London, and other British hostage families, said: 'Today, 20 February 2025, is one of immense sadness, and of failure. 'It appears that 503 days after they were taken from their homes by Hamas terrorists, the bodies of four people have been returned to Israel. 'It is understood that three of those bodies are of Shiri Bibas, and her two little children, Ariel and her baby, Kfir. We are horrified at their deaths. 'The fourth body is believed to be that of Oded Lifshitz, aged 84, whose daughter, our client Dr Sharone Lifschitz, is British, and whose wife, Yocheved… was freed in October 2023, also after being taken hostage.' Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow, said that she was 'heartbroken'. In a post on Bluesky on Thursday she described the news as a 'devastating blow'. 'We had hoped for a miracle – to be able to welcome Oded Lifshitz back to his family and to join them in Walthamstow,' she said. 'A man who dedicated his life to fighting for peace between Israel and Palestine, driving ambulances across the border to help.' She added: 'The news today and pictures (are) a devastating blow. We stand with our neighbour, Sharone Lifschitz, in her grief and in sharing the stories of his work.' The statement from Mr Wagner described him as someone whose 'life has always been dedicated to peace'. Fellow British-linked hostage Eli Sharabi was among those freed earlier this month, but his relieved family said he looked 'incredibly frail' and 'the spark was gone from his eyes'.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer ‘deeply saddened' by death of UK-linked hostage after body returned
The Prime Minister has said he is 'deeply saddened' by the death of UK-linked Hamas hostage Oded Lifshitz. The body of Mr Lifshitz, 84, was confirmed as one of four returned to Israel by Hamas on Thursday, as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange under the current ceasefire agreement. Mr Lifshitz's family, including his British-based daughter, Dr Sharone Lifschitz, had received no information on his whereabouts since the Hamas attack on October 7 2023, when he was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday: 'I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Oded Lifshitz after he was taken hostage by terrorists in Gaza, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his daughter Sharone and his wife Yocheved. 'When I met Sharone in Downing Street, she showed remarkable strength in the face of the most difficult circumstances. 'The news of her father's death is a tragedy. It is my hope that the peace he worked to see in the region through his charity work and activism will be achieved. 'My thoughts are also with the Bibas family, who have faced immense pain as they awaited news of Shiri and her sons Kfir and Ariel. 'We must see all remaining hostages released, and the ceasefire upheld. My government remains committed to working with our international partners to bring an end to this suffering and secure a long-term peace in the Middle East.' Earlier on Thursday, a statement from Mr Lifshitz's family, released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, said: 'We received with deep sorrow the official and bitter news confirming the identification of our beloved Oded's body. 'Five hundred and three agonising days of uncertainty have come to an end. We had hoped and prayed so much for a different outcome. 'Now we can mourn the husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who has been missing from us since October 7. 'Our family's healing process will begin now and will not end until the last hostage is returned.' Mr Lifshitz was a retired Israeli journalist, a great-grandfather and a grandfather of 11. His wife, Yocheved, 86, was also taken hostage but was released two weeks later. Adam Wagner, the lawyer for Dr Lifschitz, 53, of Walthamstow, east London, and other British hostage families, said: 'Today, 20 February 2025, is one of immense sadness, and of failure. 'It appears that 503 days after they were taken from their homes by Hamas terrorists, the bodies of four people have been returned to Israel. 'It is understood that three of those bodies are of Shiri Bibas, and her two little children, Ariel and her baby, Kfir. We are horrified at their deaths. 'The fourth body is believed to be that of Oded Lifshitz, aged 84, whose daughter, our client Dr Sharone Lifschitz, is British, and whose wife, Yocheved… was freed in October 2023, also after being taken hostage.' Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow, said that she was 'heartbroken'. In a post on Bluesky on Thursday she described the news as a 'devastating blow'. 'We had hoped for a miracle – to be able to welcome Oded Lifshitz back to his family and to join them in Walthamstow,' she said. 'A man who dedicated his life to fighting for peace between Israel and Palestine, driving ambulances across the border to help.' She added: 'The news today and pictures (are) a devastating blow. We stand with our neighbour, Sharone Lifschitz, in her grief and in sharing the stories of his work.' The statement from Mr Wagner described him as someone whose 'life has always been dedicated to peace'. Fellow British-linked hostage Eli Sharabi was among those freed earlier this month, but his relieved family said he looked 'incredibly frail' and 'the spark was gone from his eyes'.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- The Independent
Family of UK-linked hostage confirm ‘bitter news' of Hamas returning his body
The family of a UK-linked Hamas hostage have confirmed the 'bitter news' that his body is among those to have been returned to Israel. The body of 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz was identified as one of the four returned by Hamas on Thursday, as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange in the current ceasefire agreement. Mr Lifshitz's family, including his British-based daughter, Dr Sharone Lifschitz, had received no information on his whereabouts since the Hamas October 7 attack, when he was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. A statement from the family, released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, said: 'We received with deep sorrow the official and bitter news confirming the identification of our beloved Oded's body. 'Five hundred and three agonising days of uncertainty have come to an end. We had hoped and prayed so much for a different outcome. 'Now we can mourn the husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who has been missing from us since October 7. 'Our family's healing process will begin now and will not end until the last hostage is returned.' Mr Lifshitz was a retired Israeli journalist, a great-grandfather and a grandfather of 11. His wife, Yocheved, 86, was also taken hostage but was released two weeks later. In a statement shared earlier on Thursday, Adam Wagner, the lawyer for Dr Lifschitz, 53, of Walthamstow, east London, and other British hostage families, said: 'Today, 20 February 2025, is one of immense sadness, and of failure. 'It appears that 503 days after they were taken from their homes by Hamas terrorists, the bodies of four people have been returned to Israel. 'It is understood that three of those bodies are of Shiri Bibas, and her two little children, Ariel and her baby, Kfir. We are horrified at their deaths. 'The fourth body is believed to be that of Oded Lifshitz, aged 84, whose daughter, our client Dr Sharone Lifschitz, is British, and whose wife, Yocheved… was freed in October 2023, also after being taken hostage.' Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow where Dr Lifschitz lives said that she was 'heartbroken'. In a post on Bluesky on Thursday morning, she described the news as a 'devastating blow'. 'We had hoped for a miracle – to be able to welcome Oded Lifshitz back to his family and to join them in Walthamstow,' she said. 'A man who dedicated his life to fighting for peace between Israel and Palestine, driving ambulances across the border to help.' She added: 'The news today and pictures (are) a devastating blow. We stand with out neighbour, Sharone Lifschitz, in her grief and in sharing the stories of his work.' The statement from Mr Wagner described him as someone whose 'life has always been dedicated to peace'. Fellow British-linked hostage Eli Sharabi was among those freed earlier this month, but his relieved family said he looked 'incredibly frail' and 'the spark was gone from his eyes'.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Family of UK-linked hostage confirm ‘bitter news' of Hamas returning his body
The family of a UK-linked Hamas hostage have confirmed the 'bitter news' that his body is among those to have been returned to Israel. The body of 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz was identified as one of the four returned by Hamas on Thursday, as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange in the current ceasefire agreement. Mr Lifshitz's family, including his British-based daughter, Dr Sharone Lifschitz, had received no information on his whereabouts since the Hamas October 7 attack, when he was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. A statement from the family, released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, said: 'We received with deep sorrow the official and bitter news confirming the identification of our beloved Oded's body. 'Five hundred and three agonising days of uncertainty have come to an end. We had hoped and prayed so much for a different outcome. 'Now we can mourn the husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who has been missing from us since October 7. 'Our family's healing process will begin now and will not end until the last hostage is returned.' STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY LAWYERS FOR THE BRITISH HOSTAGE FAMILIES 20 February 2025 Today, 20 February 2025, is one of immense sadness, and of appears that 503 days after they were taken from their homes by Hamas terrorists, the bodies of four people have… — Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) February 20, 2025 Mr Lifshitz was a retired Israeli journalist, a great-grandfather and a grandfather of 11. His wife, Yocheved, 86, was also taken hostage but was released two weeks later. In a statement shared earlier on Thursday, Adam Wagner, the lawyer for Dr Lifschitz, 53, of Walthamstow, east London, and other British hostage families, said: 'Today, 20 February 2025, is one of immense sadness, and of failure. 'It appears that 503 days after they were taken from their homes by Hamas terrorists, the bodies of four people have been returned to Israel. 'It is understood that three of those bodies are of Shiri Bibas, and her two little children, Ariel and her baby, Kfir. We are horrified at their deaths. 'The fourth body is believed to be that of Oded Lifshitz, aged 84, whose daughter, our client Dr Sharone Lifschitz, is British, and whose wife, Yocheved… was freed in October 2023, also after being taken hostage.' Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow where Dr Lifschitz lives said that she was 'heartbroken'. In a post on Bluesky on Thursday morning, she described the news as a 'devastating blow'. 'We had hoped for a miracle – to be able to welcome Oded Lifshitz back to his family and to join them in Walthamstow,' she said. 'A man who dedicated his life to fighting for peace between Israel and Palestine, driving ambulances across the border to help.' She added: 'The news today and pictures (are) a devastating blow. We stand with out neighbour, Sharone Lifschitz, in her grief and in sharing the stories of his work.' The statement from Mr Wagner described him as someone whose 'life has always been dedicated to peace'. Fellow British-linked hostage Eli Sharabi was among those freed earlier this month, but his relieved family said he looked 'incredibly frail' and 'the spark was gone from his eyes'.
