On February 21, 2025, at 15:50, the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, revealed shocking details about the fate of the hostages from Kibbutz Nir Oz. In a special statement, the tragic circumstances of the deaths of three hostages were revealed: a ten-month-old infant, a four-year-old toddler, and the 83-year-old kibbutz founder.

The official announcement stated that the Hamas terrorist organization transferred four coffins to Israel, three of which contained the bodies of Oded Lifshitz z"l, age 83, and the brothers Ariel, age 4, and Kfir, age 10 months, from the Bibas family. The fourth coffin, contrary to Hamas's declarations, contained the body of an unidentified woman and not the body of Shiri Bibas, the family's mother, who is still being held captive.

Forensic and intelligence findings revealed during the identification process indicate that the children were brutally murdered by terrorists in the first weeks of the war. Contrary to the terrorist organization's claims, they were not killed in an airstrike but were murdered in cold blood. According to the IDF spokesperson's statement, the terrorists committed atrocities in an attempt to cover up their crimes.

Oded Lifshitz, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was kidnapped from his home along with his wife Yocheved, who was released as part of the first agreement. According to reports, Lifshitz was wounded during his kidnapping and was subsequently murdered in captivity.

Yarden Bibas, the father of the family who was released on February 1st as part of the hostage deal, asked to convey a message to the world so it would be horrified by the way his children were murdered. The IDF spokesperson emphasized that "the murder of children contradicts every moral, ethical, and religious standard, including in Islam."

The IDF has transferred the findings to its partners worldwide for independent verification of the intelligence and forensic evidence. Meanwhile, the army continues its efforts to locate those responsible for these crimes and demands the immediate return of Shiri Bibas.

In response to journalists' questions, the IDF spokesperson clarified that the non-return of Shiri Bibas constitutes a severe violation of the agreement. It was also emphasized that the IDF continues its efforts to pursue all terrorist operatives involved in the October 7th events.

IDF Spokesperson's Statement (verbatim): "This is a sad and painful day for all the people of Israel, for the Nir Oz community, for the Bibas and Lifshitz families. The heart breaks.

Yesterday, Hamas transferred four coffins, which were supposed to be the coffins of four deceased hostages.

First, Oded Lifshitz, 83, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was identified, who was kidnapped by terrorists from his home, along with his wife, Yocheved, who was returned as part of the first agreement. Oded z"l was murdered by terrorists in captivity.

Subsequently, Ariel, a 4-year-old child, and Kfir, a 10-month-old infant, were identified. Ariel and Kfir were brutally murdered in captivity in Gaza in the first weeks of the war by murderous terrorists.

Contrary to Hamas's lies, they were not killed in an airstrike. Baby Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel were murdered in cold blood. The terrorists didn't kill them by shooting, they killed them with their hands. Afterward, they committed horrible acts to try to cover up their atrocities.

This assessment is based on forensic findings from the identification process and our intelligence supports this. Our intelligence findings support this. We have transferred the findings to our partners in the world so they can confirm this with their own voice, both the intelligence and the forensic findings. So that the whole world knows how Hamas operates.

The mother of Kfir and Ariel, Shiri, has not yet been returned home. The body that was handed over yesterday by Hamas was not identified. It is the body of an anonymous woman and not of any other hostage.

Last night, we updated the Bibas family with the difficult findings and they approved their publication. Hamas did not comply with the agreement and did not return Shiri Bibas. We demand Shiri's immediate return home. The non-return of Shiri is a most severe violation.

Oded, Ariel, and Kfir, may their memory be blessed, we failed in our mission to protect you on October 7th. You were kidnapped alive to Gaza and returned for burial only after being brutally murdered in Hamas captivity.

This is an abhorrent crime that cannot be accepted. On this day, the world must cry out. They were brutally murdered and returned yesterday in a cynical and cruel ceremony that violates the dignity of the dead.

Yarden Bibas, the father of the family, left his home on October 7th and defended his family with his body. He was kidnapped to Gaza and returned as part of the hostage deal on February 1st. Yarden looked me in the eyes last night and asked that the whole world know and be horrified by the way his children were murdered.

The murder of children contradicts every moral, ethical, and religious standard, including in Islam. The extremist murderers committed an abhorrent crime, treating the helpless as ISIS does.

Yarden, an entire nation shares your pain and waits for Shiri's return. We are committed to you and to all the hostages' families to do everything. Everything to bring Shiri and all the hostages back as quickly as possible".

Photo credits: IDF Spokesperson's Unit, and Bibas family photos from social media, according to Article 27a