Netanyahu accused Hamas of breaking a deal in handing over hostage bodies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that instead of the body of hostage Shiri Bibas, the Palestinian radical movement Hamas handed over the corpse of an unknown resident of Gaza. This was reported on February 21 in the press service of the office of the head of the government.

According to Netanyahu, Hamas representatives "in an indescribably cynical way" did not return Shiri to her young children, placing the body of another woman in the coffin.

"We will act decisively to bring Shiri home along with all of our hostages - both alive and dead," the prime minister's statement said.

He promised that Hamas would "pay the full price" for violating the cease-fire agreement.

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On February 20, Hamas handed over the bodies of four dead hostages to Israel. It was noted that including the bodies of family members of the previously released Yarden Bibas were handed over.

On January 19, the first phase of the ceasefire went into effect between Israel and Hamas. During this phase of the deal, which will last 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages and about 1.9 thousand Palestinians are to be released.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.