Day 503 - In grotesque 'ceremony,' Hamas hands over 4 coffins

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute
audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and
the Jewish world.


Editor David
Horovitz joins host Amanda
Borschel-Dan for today's episode.


Coffins holding what are believed to be the bodies of four slain
hostages were driven across the border from the Gaza Strip back
into Israel this morning, 503 days after they were abducted alive
by Hamas-led terrorists. The four were named by Israel and by
their terrorist captors as Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas,
and Oded Lifshitz, all kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Nir
Oz on October 7, 2023.


In today's episode, we hear about two ceremonies conducted this
morning: one, a cynically staged Hamas propaganda fest in Gaza;
the other held by the IDF in the Gaza Strip led by IDF Chief
Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Karim.


We learn what the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz represent to
Israeli society and how their families are reacting to the
apparent return of their bodies.


We also preview Saturday's planned release of six living male
hostages, including how they were likely chosen, and discuss a
Hamas offer to release all remaining hostages in one go in a
potential phase two of the ongoing ceasefire-hostage release
deal.


Please see today's ongoing live blog for more
updates.


Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple
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podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


For further reading:


The worst news of all


Bodies believed to be of 4 slain hostages brought to
Israel, 503 days after they were taken alive


Bibas and Lifshitz hostage families cling to hope, say
they’ll await final identification of bodies


These are the six living hostages set to be released
Saturday


IMAGE: Palestinian terrorists carry one of the coffins said to
carry the bodies of four slain Israeli hostages to the Red Cross
in Khan Younis in the Gaza on February 20, 2025. (Eyad BABA /
AFP)


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