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A 10-month-old boy, his four-year-old brother and their mother kidnapped by Hamas were killed in “previous Israeli airstrikes” on the Gaza Strip, Hamas’ armed wing claimed.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the ceasefire in Gaza for another day. Negotiators said this would allow more Israeli hostages to be released on Thursday.
Kfir Bibas was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his older brother Ariel and his parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32, after Hamas massacred up to 1,200 Israelis on October 7.
The Israeli military told The Independent that it was investigating the Al-Qassam Brigades claim and would continue to support the Bibas family during this “difficult time”. It is not clear when they were killed.
“IDF officials have spoken to the Bibas family following recent reports and are with them during this difficult time. “The IDF is currently verifying the accuracy of the information,” it said.
British Minister of State for Security Tom Stimmehat described the Hamas claim as “not credible.” Mr Tugendhat told Sky News: “This is an organization that murdered the entire rest of his family and is now blaming someone else for his death.”
The news came just a day after Kfir’s family urged his “immediate release” amid fears he would go missing without adequate food or formula.
Ofri Bibas, Kfir’s aunt, said before the Hamas indictment: “He cannot stay there any longer.” He is a 10-month-old baby. We don’t know if he’s on formula. There isn’t much to eat.
“Every day there is a risk to their mental and physical condition. They must be released. They are children. They shouldn’t be hostages.”
Aylon Keshet, Mr Bibas’ cousin, added that the family was living a “nightmare” and knew nothing about their condition.
Kfir with his mother Shiri, who Hamas said was also dead
(PA)
He said: “These are real people with real lives. Please don’t let her stay there another day. Don’t let Hamas continue to use them as a bargaining chip.
“We really don’t know anything. We’re groping in the dark here. We know nothing about her well-being or condition. This is a nightmare scenario for us. The uncertainty is really hard. We are very worried about her.”
During the six-day ceasefire so far, 97 Israeli and foreign hostages have been released by Hamas and 210 Palestinians have been freed from Israeli prisons, according to authorities on both sides.
The latest series of releases lasted until late Wednesday night and included 10 prisoners held under the ceasefire agreement, as well as four Thai citizens and two Russian-Israeli citizens released outside the terms of that agreement. Israel released another 30 Palestinian women and children late Wednesday.
Hamas gunmen arrested 240 Israelis in their October raid.
Qatari officials said the success of the two-day extension of the original ceasefire was crucial to the search for missing Israeli hostages.
Ariel Bibas, 4, was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 along with his younger brother, mother and father
(PA)
“Some of them are not even with the other armed factions, but with laypeople,” said Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr. Majed Al-Ansari, told The Independent.
An IDF spokesman told The Independent: “During the October 7 Hamas massacre, the Bibas family, including ten-month-old Kfir Bibas, his four-year-old brother Ariel Bibas and their mother Shiri Bibas, were kidnapped alive to Gaza. The barbarism and cruelty of Hamas is evident to the world.
“Hamas has sole responsibility for the safety of all hostages in the Gaza Strip. Hamas must be held accountable. Hamas’ actions continue to endanger the hostages, who include nine children. Hamas must release our hostages immediately.
“The IDF, together with other security agencies, will continue to accompany the Bibas family as well as all families of the hostages and missing persons.”