War in Israel: Update on Current Situation
February 27, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 510 - 59 Hostages remain in captivity
An entire nation grieved as yesterday’s funeral for Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas took place in Israel. And overnight, four additional bodies of hostages were returned to Israel.
Earlier in the week, 84-year old Oded Lifshitz was buried in Nir Oz after his body was returned together with the Bibas boys last week. Thousands attended the funeral, including President Isaac Herzog. Oded’s wife Yocheved, herself released from captivity in the first hostage exchange in November 2023, eulogized her husband: “Together we marched for 67 years and together we fought for peace, only to be struck by the very people we tried to help on the other side."
After days of ongoing negotiations on the final part of Phase One of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the bodies of four additional hostages were handed over to Israel in the very early hours of this morning (Israel Time).
Beginning around 1 AM Israel Time, the Red Cross received the four bodies from Hamas. They then drove to the border crossing and delivered them to Israeli forces. The IDF Chief Rabbi was among those who received the bodies; he conducted a short prayer service.
At the border, the IDF conducted an initial identification and from there the bodies were taken to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for final identification and confirmation, as well as determination of the cause of death.
In the early hours of this morning, the families were informed that positive identification had been made
The four murdered hostages were:
Shlomo Mantzur, 85, from Kibbutz Kissufim, who came from a family that had made Aliyah from Iraq. Mantzur survived the Farhud Pogrom against the Jews of Baghdad and came to Israel in his youth. Together with his wife, Mazal, they raised five children and 12 grandchildren.
Tzachi Idan, 50, from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, was a loving husband to Gali, and a devoted father to Sharon, Yael, Shachar, and Maayan —a young girl who was brutally murdered in front of her family by terrorists who broadcast her murder.
Ohad Yahalomi, 50, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was kidnapped by Hamas along with his son, Eitan, who was released in the first hostage deal. The terrorists also attempted to abduct his wife, Bat-Sheva, and his daughters, who managed to escape.
Itzik Elgarat, 69, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was a devoted father of two.
Forensic evidence shows that Mantzur was killed on October 7 and that the other three were murdered in captivity.
Following the release, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said:
“In this painful moment, there is some solace in knowing that they will be laid to rest in dignity in Israel. Together with the entire nation, we share in the immense grief and sorrow of the bereaved families and the Kibbutz communities of Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, and Kissufim. The return of our brothers’ bodies from captivity underscores our moral obligation to do everything in our power to bring back all the hostages—the living to their loving families, and the fallen to be late to rest. Until the last one is home! They are all humanitarian cases, and they must all be returned. May their memory be a blessing.”
BIBAS FUNERAL
Yesterday, an entire nation grieved as the funeral for Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas took place.
While the Bibas family had requested that only immediate family and close friends attend the ceremony, tens of thousands of Israelis lined the roads waving the national flag as the bodies were driven across the country to their final resting place.
The family’s father, recently-released hostage Yarden Bibas, gave a heart-wrenching eulogy for his wife and two little children, recounting how in their last moments together in the safe room, they discussed whether to surrender or fight; he decided to fight. He left the safe room with his gun, trying to protect his family, but to no avail.
Across the Jewish world, communities held vigils and ceremonies to mark the tragic occasion.
In addition, numerous cities across the globe lit up sites in orange, a symbol of the red-headed Bibas boys, and in tribute to the family. Landmarks were lit in Berlin, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Frankfurt, Madrid, New York, Niagara Falls, Paris, Rio De Janeiro, San Francisco, and other places. See here, for example.
David Draiman, lead singer of the world-renowned metal band Disturbed, posted this video message to the family.
Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, posted: “I can’t stop thinking about them. The tears won’t stop today.” Read more.
Earlier in the week, 84-year old Oded Lifshitz was buried in Nir Oz after his body was returned together with the Bibas boys last week. Thousands attended the funeral, including President Isaac Herzog. Oded’s wife Yocheved, herself released from captivity in the first hostage exchange in November 2023, eulogized her husband: “Together we marched for 67 years and together we fought for peace, only to be struck by the very people we tried to help on the other side."
CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT
Last night, a few hours before the four additional bodies were handed over, Israel released 620 Palestinian terrorists from prison as per the ceasefire agreement.
The group included dozens who had already been released as part of the 2013 hostage deal for Gilad Shalit, but returned to terrorism and were apprehended again.
71 of the prisoners were serving life sentences, and a further 60 had been expected to remain in prison for long terms due to the severity of their crimes.
97 of the 620 will be exiled to other countries. Of the remainder, five will be released in East Jerusalem, 37 will be allowed to go to the West Bank and 457 will be released to Gaza.
With the exchanges that took place today, Phase One of the hostage deal is now complete. Israeli negotiators are set to travel to Egypt in the coming days, to discuss a possible Phase Two.
59 Israeli hostages are still held by Hamas, at least 28 of whom have been confirmed dead.
There are now three possible scenarios as to how the next phase will play out
Option 1: An agreement could be reached on Phase Two
This would likely see all remaining hostages (alive and dead) released
Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders could be exiled from Gaza
Gaza would remain demilitarized
The IDF would pull out, but likely stay in a few strategic areas along the borders.
However, Hamas is unlikely to agree to giving up ruling the Strip, or exiling its leadership. At the same time, the governing coalition in Israel would not likely survive an agreement that leaves Hamas in place.
Option 2: Extend Phase One of the deal
Under this scenario, there would be additional stages where hostages are freed, and the ceasefire continues, in exchange for very large numbers of Palestinian prisoner releases.
In this option, the IDF would not pull-out entirely and there would not be a declaration of a complete end to the war.
While this may be an attractive interim measure, Hamas is reluctant to release many more hostages – its main bargaining chip – without seeing a guaranteed end to the war.
Option 3: Renewed war
If the first two options are not agreed to, then Israel would likely return to high-intensity fighting inside Gaza aiming to eradicate Hamas, with potentially strong US support and backing.
Large sections of the Israeli population would likely be opposed to this option, preferring a deal and the immediate return of the hostages.
It is unlikely that continued fighting would see the rescue of hostages, or the complete elimination of Hamas.
Earlier today, the IDF warned that if Hamas did not continue to release hostages as soon as this coming Saturday, then fighting could resume.
FOR FURTHER READING
The haunting tragedy of the Bibas family: A call for action against HamasWhy Israel Should Keep Open the Possibility of Palestinian StatehoodSpecial Report – The Lebanese Army Since the CeasefireTranslating Trump’s Disruptive Diplomacy into a New Reality in Gaza
For more information, please contact: Jewish Federations of North America’s Dani Wassner dani.wassner@jewishfederations.org. Subscribe to this weekly update here.
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