Terror-listed Hamas chose to display coffins on a stage before handing them over to the Red Cross, which took them to Israeli authorities.
The remains are said to be Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir. Nine-month-old Kfir was the youngest person taken hostage on October 7, 2023. According to Hamas, all three were killed in an Israeli air strike early in the war.
Israel has not confirmed the information, and a forensic examination will determine the identity and cause of death.
UN: Repulsive
Shiri Bibas' husband, Yarden Bibas, was also kidnapped on October 7 but was released earlier in February after 16 months in captivity.
Hamas also released the body of the deceased Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 years old when he was kidnapped.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the handover that he – and Israel – were "outraged over Hamas' monsters".
We will get back all the hostages, eliminate the murderers, eliminate Hamas, and together, with God's help, secure our future, Netanyahu said in a recorded statement.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk reacted sharply to the way Hamas handed over the remains. He said that the "parade" of coffins was "repulsive".
"Under international law, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment during the handover of the dead is prohibited", Türk wrote in a statement.
Not broadcast on TV
The grief in Israel when the remains were received was immense, and was verbalized by President Isaac Herzog:
"On behalf of the State of Israel, I bow my head and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not protecting you on that terrible day. Forgiveness for not bringing you home safely."
Israeli TV channels did not broadcast the handover in Khan Yunis, and did not show the event via video screen at the hostage square in Tel Aviv, where Israelis had previously gathered to see the release of living hostages.
Facts: The Hostage Agreement
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According to the agreement between Israel and terror-listed Hamas on the first phase of the ceasefire, which lasts for six weeks from January 19, a total of 33 people held hostage in Gaza by Islamist armed groups will be released during the period.
The releases are made in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Islamist Hamas has said that six living hostages will be released on Saturday and four more bodies next week, which marks the end of phase one of the ceasefire.
When the first phase is over, it is believed that another 60 Israeli hostages will still be held by Hamas. The idea is that they will be released in a new phase of the ceasefire, but the conditions for that phase have not been negotiated.
Sources: BBC, AP, AFP.
