Update regarding news that came out after the release of this statement: To add to yesterday’s heartbreak, we are outraged to learn that Hamas did not return Shiri Bibas alongside her children. This is a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas must return Shiri and all of the hostages and end these depraved spectacles.
Washington DC – Following Hamas’ handover of four bodies of Israeli hostages, including Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas and 84-year-old peace advocate Oded Lifshitz, J Street Vice President Adina Vogel Ayalon released the following statement:
“I find myself in deep pain and anguish today. The handover of four hostages who were killed while in captivity – including two young children and their mother – is a painful reminder of the utter depravity of Hamas and the failure of all of us to bring them home alive. The undignified public spectacle of Hamas’ handover ‘ceremony’ was grotesque and enraging. This is a tragic, painful day for our community. All those who have been fighting for the hostages are in mourning.
The story of the Bibas family is unbearably heartbreaking. While Yarden Bibas was released earlier this month alive, today saw the release of the bodies Hamas says are his wife and two young sons, abducted from their home in southern Israel in the October 7 attack. Our hearts are with Yarden and his family in this absolutely devastating moment.
Today also saw the handover of the body of Oded Lifshitz, an 84-year-old veteran journalist and peace activist. J Street is proud to have come to know Oded’s inspirational family, including his daughter Sharone and grandson Daniel. Oded was a founding member of his kibbutz and showed an unwavering commitment to peace, volunteering to drive Palestinians from Gaza to hospitals in Israel for treatment. We are deeply pained that this hostage deal has come too late for Oded and his family.
In this moment of profound anguish, may their memories be a blessing. We must commit to ensuring this ceasefire and hostage deal holds, and every hostage is returned home.”