According to Hagari, the agreement explicitly stated that civilian hostages would be returned to Israel before IDF soldiers, but Hamas failed to honor this commitment. As of now Arbel Yehud and Shiri Bibas are the last remaining civilian women held hostage in Gaza.
“We will demand that Arbel Yehud return, and we are committed to bringing Agam Berger home,” Hagari emphasized. Agam Berger is the fifth and only remaining IDF lookout kidnapped from the Nir Oz military base during the October 7 massacre. The other four IDF soldiers, Liri, Naama, Daniella, and Karina, were released this past Saturday.
Hagari also expressed grave concern for the fate of the Bibas family. Shiri Bibas, along with her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, were supposed to be released in November 2023 under the terms of the ceasefire deal. However, that agreement was violated when they were not freed as expected, and Shiri was separated from her children, despite the deal stipulating that all children held hostage should be returned alongside their mothers. Shiri’s husband, Yarden, is also expected to be released in the current deal due to his injuries. Hagari said that Israel is deeply concerned about the Bibas family's condition, stating, “Israel expects to receive certainty on this matter.”
While the recently freed hostages—Liri, Naama, Daniella, and Karina—are reportedly in good health, Hagari reminded the public that these are emotional moments, and Israel is prepared to provide them with appropriate medical care. “These are difficult days. Rely only on official reports, and do not spread rumors on social media,” he added.
Hagari also took the opportunity to condemn Hamas for its actions, stating that the terrorist group falsely represented how it treated the hostages. “Hamas brutally held innocent civilians hostage for 477 days,” he said. “In the past few hours, Hamas has proven its cruelty again by organizing a cynical ceremony. This is a murderous terror organization, and it is important that the world remember this.”
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