Four coffins were transferred to Israel on Tuesday night, including three deceased Israeli hostages – Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, and Eitan Levi. The fourth one was supposed to be another Israeli hostage, but Hamas apparently used the body of a Palestinian resident of Gaza, although it is unclear if this was a mistake or deliberate.

The Prime Minister's Office released an official statement this morning, which read: "Following the completion of the identification procedure by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, in collaboration with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives notified the families of the hostages Uriel Baruch, Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi that their loved ones had been repatriated to Israel and their identification was finalized. The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Baruch, Nimrodi, and Levi families, as well as all families of the deceased hostages. The Government and the State of Israel's entire hostage and missing persons apparatus are determined, committed, and are operating relentlessly to return all of our fallen hostages for a respectful burial in their homeland. The Hamas terrorist organization is required to uphold its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the agreement's implementation; we will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all the deceased hostages, every last one. May their memories be blessed".

Aside from the statement, no operational decision has yet been made. The Rafah crossing was not scheduled to open this morning in any event, as the logistical deployment for its opening has not yet concluded. Furthermore, the political echelon has not yet issued a directive regarding the suspension or decrease of humanitarian aid.

A similar case happened when the body of Shiri Bibas was supposed to be handed over to Israel during the previous hostage deal. In the previous exchange on February 20 of this year, Hamas transferred a body to Israel, claiming it was that of Shiri Bibas, a resident of Nir Oz who was kidnapped and murdered in captivity with her two sons – Kfir Bibas and Ariel Bibas. After a protracted examination at the National Center of Forensic Medicine, the body was then discovered to belong to a Palestinian woman who lived in Gaza, and following fury and threats from Israel, Shiri Bibas's body was subsequently transferred and identified.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, reacted in a post on the X network: "Enough of the disgrace. Right after the gates were opened for hundreds of trucks, Hamas very quickly reverted to its well-known tactics – to lie, deceive, and abuse families and bodies. The Nazi terror understands only force, and the sole path to resolving issues with it is to wipe it from the face of the earth."

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A post on the Instagram page commemorating the Bibas family read: "The first birthday without Ariel. Close your eyes and think of Ariel's sweet smile. Ariel was a mischievous child full of love with a smile that immediately melted everyone he met."

 

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The page invited the public to light a candle or release an orange balloon, "dedicate a moment to create a good moment with your loved ones that will bring a smile to their faces - send a message, give a hug, offer to help someone."

Ariel, along with his parents Shiri and Yarden and his baby brother Kfir, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Ariel, Kfir and Shiri were murdered in captivity. Yarden was released in the second hostage deal.

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Chabad on Campus International has launched a new initiative called #CampusforBibas, according to a press release issued Tuesday. The campaign aims to honor the memory of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, two young children who, along with their mother Shiri Bibas, were murdered by Hamas after being taken hostage on October 7.

The initiative, as detailed in the release from Chabad on Campus, encourages Jewish male students to wrap tefillin and Jewish female students to light Shabbat candles. "This initiative was born from the painful reality that Kfir and Ariel will never get to grow up and put on tefillin, and Shiri will never again light Shabbat candles for her family," said Rabbi Avi Weinstein, Chabad on Campus International COO.

According to the organization, the campaign represents more than just remembrance – it serves as a declaration of Jewish resilience. The press release emphasized, "Every mitzvah done in their name is a declaration that the Jewish people will never be extinguished."

The Bibas family's situation has resonated deeply within Jewish communities worldwide. The press release cited social media responses, including one user who wrote, "The thought of Kfir and Ariel never reaching their bar mitzvah broke me. I will put on tefillin every day for them." Another person reportedly commented, "My daughter and I will light Shabbat candles for Shiri. Her light will not be lost."

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"I am informed by the government that they will wait for official information on the DNA results of the bodies and that, if confirmed, Argentina will then declare a National Day of Mourning in their honour, " President of the Argentinian Commission for Human Rights Sabrina Ajmeche, revealed the planned move on Wednesday.

"Two Argentinian babies assassinated because of Hamas terrorism," she wrote. "I hope that never again, after this, I have to hear that what happens in Israel and Gaza is not our concern, of all Argentines."

The brothers – Kfir, aged 1.5 years, and Ariel, aged 5 – were taken hostage from Nir-Oz during Hamas's October 7 attack along with their parents, Yarden and Shiri Bibas. Yarden was released recently as part of the implementation of the ongoing hostage deal with Hamas.

The brothers held Argentine citizenship through their father Yarden Bibas, who was recently released from captivity. "A huge hug to the Bibas family. Today, all Argentines are with you," Ajmechet added in her statement.

President Javier Milei's administration has maintained strong support for Israel throughout the conflict. The Argentine leader has visited Israel multiple times since October 7 and issued forceful condemnations of the attack. In a December 2024 letter, Milei wrote, "Silence is complicity, and it compels us to condemn the brutal and cowardly terrorist attack of October 7." On Wednesday, the Argentinian ambassador to Israel Axel Wahnish wrote on X : "Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas: EVERYONE IS THINKING ABOUT YOU. We are going through one of the most sensitive and tragic moments since that fateful Oct. 7. We accompany and support family members."

On Wednesday, an account that might be associated with Milei posted on X an image showing Shiri, Kfir and Ariel with the caption: "Blessed be their memories" and "Blessed is the True Judge. These phrases are traditionally said in Jewish mourning to acknowledge God's judgment

The president's office has not issued additional comments regarding the national day of mourning at this time.

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