The Bibas family said Tuesday it is aware of reports that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir will be among the dead bodies of four hostages released on Thursday.
However, the family added that it has not yet received any official confirmation, and until it does, the “journey is not over.”
“In the past few hours, we have been in turmoil following the Hamas spokesperson’s announcement about the planned return of our Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir this Thursday as part of the hostages’ remains release phase.
“We ask the media and the public to respect our privacy and refrain from contacting us about this matter,” the Bibas family added.
The family’s statement came after Hamas’s deputy head in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, said the group will release the dead bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday.
Hamas is also still holding six living hostages who are supposed to be released in the first phase. Their families have now been informed they will be released on Saturday.
Yarden Bibas
The father of the Bibas children and husband of Shiri, Yarden, was released from captivity earlier this month alongside hostages Ofer Kalderon and Keith Siegel.
A week later, Yarden Bibas gave a statement addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “Bring my family back. Bring my friends back. Bring everyone home.
“My light is still there, and as long as they’re there, everything here is dark,” he said. “Thanks to you, I was brought back – help me bring the light back to my life.”