Leaders and politicians from across the Western world reacted on Thursday to the return to Israel of the bodies of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, a mother and her children whom many regarded as symbols representing the plight of the hostages in Gaza.

Stephanie Hallett, the interim chargé d’affaires at the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, tweeted: “My heart is heavy knowing the remains of four deceased Israeli hostages — including sweet baby Kfir and darling Ariel — have finally returned home.”