Tel Aviv: Israel's national forensic center has confirmed that the body of an Israeli hostage handed over by Hamas late Friday was identified as Shiri Bibas, as reported by Israeli media on Saturday. The Red Cross facilitated the transfer of her body from Gaza to the Israeli military on Friday night.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute conducted extensive forensic testing and confirmed that the remains transferred to Israel were those of Bibas. Reports from the Jerusalem Post and Channel 12 have also verified this confirmation, although Israeli authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the matter.

Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza had handed over the remains of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including Bibas, her two children, Kfir and Ariel, and captive Oded Lifshitz. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later claimed that Hamas had returned the body of a woman from Gaza instead of Bibas. In response, Hamas stated that there might have been an error or mix-up in the bodies following Israeli bombardment.

The situation unfolded as a ceasefire deal took effect on January 19, bringing a halt to the conflict that began on October 7, 2023. The war has resulted in over 48,000 casualties, predominantly women and children, and left significant destruction in its wake.