IDF claims Hamas killed children Ariel and Kfir Bibas with bare hands, disputes airstrike narrative

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that forensic reports indicate Hamas killed children Ariel and Kfir Bibas with their bare hands, contradicting Hamas's claim that they died in an Israeli airstrike. The children were kidnapped on October 7, 2023. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari emphasized that the children were murdered shortly after their abduction. He also noted that Hamas did not return the body of their mother, Shiri Bibas, as initially claimed, but instead sent the body of another woman. Hamas acknowledged a possible mix-up regarding Shiri's body and stated it would investigate the allegations. The group plans to release six live hostages on Saturday, while Israel will release 602 Palestinian prisoners in return.