Hamas returns remains of Israeli mother and two young sons after 503 days in captivity

Hamas returned the remains of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two young sons, 503 days after their abduction during the October 7, 2023 attacks. The handover took place in Khan Younis and was marked by propaganda displays. The hostages, Shiri Silberman Bibas, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, along with Oded Lifshitz, were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Their father, Yarden Bibas, was released separately on February 1 as part of a ceasefire deal. Israeli officials expressed outrage over the handover ceremony. Hamas claimed the hostages died due to Israeli attacks, while reports indicate over 44,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the conflict began.