Israeli President, Isaac Herzog has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire deal.
He asserted that the Palestinian militant group committed “a cruel act” after the army claimed that the group handed over the body of an unidentified woman instead of a captive.
Referring to two children whose bodies were returned yesterday, Herzog said in a statement, “The bodies of Ariel and Kfir, so pure and innocent, were identified, while their beloved mother, Shiri, remains in captivity.”
Israel claimed Hamas returned an unidentified body, not their mother – Shiri Bibas – as agreed.
“This is a shocking and horrific violation of the ceasefire agreement, another cruel act by the terrorists of Hamas, who continue to show utter disregard for humanity.”
Isaac Herzog
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the Palestinian movement after the Israeli military said that one of the bodies released by Hamas did not belong to any of the captives held in Gaza, accusing it of violating the ceasefire.
In a video statement, Netanyahu averred, “The cruelty of the Hamas monsters knows no bounds.”
Netanyahu added that his government will “ensure Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement.”
He promised that he would work to bring home “all our hostages – both living and dead.”
Prior to receiving the bodies, Chen Kugel, the head of Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine, said that he and his team would use “multiple scientific methods” to identify the remains.
“We can use X-rays, weight data comparisons, dental records, and DNA analysis. We will do everything possible. But for the slain hostages that have been held for an extended period, identification is not always feasible.”
Chen Kugel
Kugel disclosed that the process begins with a CT scan to create a detailed internal image, which is then analysed by radiology specialists and compared with previous medical records.
Following an autopsy, DNA samples are sent for laboratory testing, while forensic dentists compare dental features to existing records.
Smotrich Calls For Destruction Of Hamas Over Ceasefire Violation
Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich stated that his country should not remain silent over the “severe violation” carried out by the Palestinian group.
The statement came after Israel claimed that one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas yesterday was an unidentified woman and not a captive’s body as pledged by the group.
“The severe violation by Hamas and the ongoing abuse cannot be faced with silence. And neither can the certain knowledge that they brutally murdered the young Ariel and Kfir in captivity.
“The only solution is the destruction of Hamas and it must not be delayed.”
Bezalel Smotrich
Separately, Adam Boehler, President Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, labelled the alleged decision by Hamas to release an unidentified body in place of Shiri Bibas “horrific” and a “clear violation” of the ceasefire. “If I were them, I’d release everybody or they are going to face total annihilation,” he told a news agency.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Gaza’s Government Media Office played down the threats made by Israeli officials over the claims that the body returned to Israel on Thursday did not belong to a captive.
The office stated that the remains of the body of the female captive were found mixed with the remains of other people under the rubble of a building.
The building was relentlessly bombed during multiple air attacks in Gaza, an indication of what happened in the 15 months of Israel’s relentless bombardment campaign.
It remains unclear whether the next scheduled Israeli captive for Palestinian prisoner swap, which was scheduled for Saturday, will still take place following the allegations by the Israeli military.
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