The Israel Defense Forces announced on Wednesday that they are investigating a claim made by Hamas, in which they alleged that the youngest Israeli hostage, 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, along with his brother and mother, had been killed. The armed wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, made the unsubstantiated claim that the three individuals were killed in an Israeli airstrike, citing previous Israeli bombing as the cause of death.
The IDF issued a statement stating that they were currently investigating the accuracy of the information. It was confirmed that they had been in communication with the relatives of the Bibas family and expressed their support during this challenging period.
The IDF held Hamas entirely responsible for the safety of all hostages in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the need for Hamas to be held liable for their actions. The IDF also stressed that the actions of Hamas posed a continued threat to the hostages, which included nine children, and demanded the immediate release of the hostages.
Shortly after Hamas made their claim, a high-ranking Israeli official expressed hope that it was not true and stated that there was no evidence that the individuals had been killed. In an interview with Israels Channel 12, Shiris cousin, Jimmy Miller, revealed that the IDF had informed the family about Hamas' claim.
"Hamas has taken them alive, and it is their responsibility to ensure their health and return them to us unharmed. We do not care if they have handed them over to another party or entity; Hamas is solely accountable for bringing them back to us safe and sound," stated Miller. The Bibas family later acknowledged that they had "been made aware of Hamas' recent statements," as per a statement from the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum.
"The confirmation of the information and hopefully its refutation by military officials is on hold. We express gratitude to the people of Israel for their unwavering support, but we kindly ask for privacy during this challenging period," they said.
The Bibas family, pictured in this undated family handout photo, were kidnapped from Nir Oz by Hamas militants on October 7.
Maurice Shnaider
Earlier this week, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the IDF, stated that the IDF does not believe that the boys and their mother are in the custody of Hamas. Since the ceasefire began on Friday morning, there have been no Israeli bombings in Gaza.
Kfir, Ariel and Shiri Bibas, and presumably their father Yarden were all abducted from Nir Oz, an Israeli kibbutz that was devastated when it came under attack by Hamas militants on October 7. The attackers murdered more than a quarter of the community and seized scores of others, as they fired at people's homes, looted and destroyed what they could.
The Israeli army's handout video shows 9-year-old Irish-Israeli former hostage Emily Hand reuniting with her father at an Israeli hospital after being released by Hamas. The exchange operation, which took place on November 26, 2023, involved hostages being exchanged for prisoners between Hamas and Israel. On November 25, Hamas released a second group of Israeli and foreign civilians from the Gaza Strip after an unexpected delay. Israeli authorities confirmed that 13 Israelis and four Thai citizens had returned to Israel. (IDF/AFP via Getty Images)
First to appear on CNN: Father shares the survival story of his young daughter Emily Hand during her time in Hamas captivity.
During an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Eylon Keshet made an emotional plea for the release of his cousin, Yarden, and the entire Bibas family.
Keshet, visibly upset, expressed his concern for the treatment of Kfir and Ariel, holding up posters and questioning the use of children as bargaining chips. He emphasized that there is no justification for their current situation and pleaded for their safe return.
Hamas' assertion was made as mediators were in the process of potentially extending the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, now in its sixth day. A representative from the Qatari foreign ministry informed CNN that Qatar, which has been instrumental in facilitating the ceasefire agreement, is "highly optimistic" that an extension will be declared.
Ofri Bibas Levy, aunt of Kfir Bibas, holds with her friend Tal Ulus pictures of her relatives taken hostage by Hamas, November 13, 2023.
Denis Balibouse/Reuters
This is a developing story and will be updated.
