The Times of Israel is liveblogging Friday’s events as they happen.
IDF: Remains of Kfir and Ariel Bibas ID’d, 3rd body sent by Hamas isn’t their mom Shiri
The military informs the Bibas family that the bodies of Ariel and Kfir Bibas have been identified after their remains were given to Israel by Hamas on Thursday.
However, the third body at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute was not that of their mother, Shiri Bibas, says the Israel Defense Forces. Specialists at Abu Kabir were not able to identify the body.
The authorities, using forensic evidence and intelligence, assess that the two young boys were ‘”brutally murdered” by terrorists in November 2023, says the IDF. Ariel was 4-years-old and Kfir was 10-months-old when they were murdered.
“This is a very serious violation by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is required by the agreement to return four dead hostages,” says the IDF. “We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all of our hostages.”
“We share the deep sorrow of the Bibas family at this difficult time and will continue to make every effort to return Shiri and all the hostages home as soon as possible,” says the IDF.
PM calls for massive operation in West Bank, further ‘preventative activities’ in Israeli cities
Following the attempted string of bus bombings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the IDF to embark on a massive operation in the West Bank against terrorist hubs, according to his office.
He also instructs the police and Shin Bet to “increase preventative activities” in Israel’s cities to prevent further attacks.
The decisions come after a meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and Police Commissioner Daniel Levy.
IDF says strikes on Lebanon-Syria border targeted Hezbollah arms smuggling routes
The IDF confirms carrying out airstrikes on the Lebanon-Syria border a short while ago, saying its fighter jets targeted border crossings used by the Hezbollah terror group to smuggle arms.
The military says the attempts by Hezbollah to bring weapons into Lebanon “constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon.”
Hostage advocates in NYC to hold silent gathering to mourn the slain captives
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in New York City announces a “silent gathering” to mourn the four slain hostages who were returned to Israel on Thursday.
The gathering will take place at Columbus Circle in Manhattan, starting at 6:30 p.m. local time.
“We will gather in silence, lighting candles in memory of the lives we have lost,” the group says in a statement. “May we see brighter days ahead.”
There will be no speeches at the gathering. For those unable to attend, the group urges them to light a candle.
The group asks participants to refrain from mentioning the names of hostages whose remains have not been identified yet, out of respect for the families.
The forum holds regular rallies on Sundays in Central Park.